Page 325 of A University of Betrayal

How had I ever been able to hold them back like that?Damn it,I had hidden them. Out of fear of myself? Yet it was the Circle and the Councils who should be afraid ofme.

Larissa had opened my eyes:There was no reason to keep hiding.

I knew that no one would ever love me, especially not what was waiting inside me to burst out. But if no one else did, thenIshould at least accept who I was.

I could feel ice crystals forming under my hands, which rested on my thighs beneath the cape. A new storm was raging inside me, and my magic was ready to leave my body.

“So much better,” Larissa said, unaware of my thoughts or the magic.

I turned my head to either side.

“Julie, that hairstyle looks badass,” Larissa said with a devilish grin.

I couldn’t help but smile.

The hairstyle gave me more severity.

Apparently, the fairytale princess I had never wanted to be had also just died.

Larissa put the hair into the bin, where it belonged.

“I’d better put on my dress and go. If you’re still coming...” She paused. “I’d be happy.”

I nodded, not taking my eyes off my reflection.

She turned toward the door.

“Larissa.” I stopped her and she turned to me. I looked at her with a serious expression. “Thank you,” I whispered, and I meant it.

A smile appeared on her lips again. “Always with pleasure.” And then she disappeared.

I got up and closed the door, then I slowly turned to the mirror.

On the shelf of the bathroom cabinet, I spotted the scissors that I had dragged across my wrist far too often in recent weeks. I reached for them. And without hesitation, I threw them in the garbage can too.

I took off the cape completely and opened my slightly raised hands. Even as ice crystals spread all over the glass surface, I tried to concentrate fully on my reflection.

I smiled back at the new Julie. It wasn’t a sweet smile, not a happy one, and certainly not a cheerful one. It was what I would give Gloria tonight.

I would show them what they had made of me.I would show them all.

Chapter 56

Bayla

Contemplation

Chuck e. myers ‘sea’, Hogwarts Legacy

As soon as I entered the campus, I noticed the pointy lanterns, resembling ice crystals, that had been put up just for the day. White ribbons hung everywhere and girls in elegant ball gowns walked through the corridors, smiling, accompanied by smartly dressed young men.

There wasn’t much going on on campus, but I actually spotted the horse-drawn carriages with the white animals, their breath rising in the cool air in the form of steam.

I walked through the side corridors, hoping to find the ballroom, which should be located somewhere in the west wing, far enough away from Alarik’s office. And the closer I got, the harder it was not to think about all the things that could go wrong.

Violin music reached my ears, which meant I was on the right track. From that direction came two whispering girls who eyed me and the dress and only continued whispering when they had hurried past me.

I sighed and hoped that I wouldn’t stand out too much. After all, I hadn’t chosen a red or white dress.

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