Iridea's Room
The air was heavy with the scent of lavender candles, the soft glow illuminating the delicate glass surface of Iridea's vanity. Resting among her other jewelry, the Emotex Watch gleamed, pristine and untouched. It looked as if it had never been worn.
Iridea's eyes lingered on the watch, her fingers tracing its cool surface. Despite its immaculate condition, she couldn't shake the feeling that it held more weight than it should.
Her jaw tightened. The idea of owing Nullen anything left a bitter taste in her mouth.
"What could I possibly give to someone who feels nothing?" she muttered, her voice echoing softly in the empty room.
Then, an idea struck her. A lapel pin , simple, understated, and easy to wear with his pre-med student uniform. It could be pinned to his coat or shirt pocket, blending in without drawing attention. Something that would look like a student accessory but still function as a charm.
Without wasting another moment, she grabbed her phone and dialed Mr. Veyar's number.
----
The call connected after a few rings, and a smooth, deep voice answered, "Good evening, Miss Solenne. To what do I owe the pleasure at this hour?"
"Mr. Veyar," Iridea said, her tone polite but firm. "I need a custom charm made."
"A custom charm?" he echoed, his voice calm and professional. "What kind, Miss Solenne?"
"A lapel pin," Iridea said, her gaze drifting to the Emotex Watch once more. "Something discreet, suitable for a pre-med student's uniform. Embedded with a Solargem."
"Understood," Mr. Veyar said. "And when would you like it completed?"
"How soon can you make it?"
"A week, Miss Solenne," he said, his tone steady. "Shall I proceed?"
"Yes," Iridea said, exhaling slowly. "And one more thing make a new charm for me as well. A watch."
"Of course, Miss Solenne," Mr. Veyar said. "It will be done."
"Thank you," Iridea said, hanging up.
She set the phone down, her eyes fixed on the watch again. Despite her attempts to ignore it, the Emotex Watch gleamed as if mocking her.
Would this lapel pin be enough to settle the debt between them?
A Week Later - Outside the Academy of Medicine
A week passed. The lapel pin and the new watch were ready.
Standing outside the gates of the Aurellian Academy of Medicine, Iridea stood tall, her phone in hand as she scrolled through messages. Despite the casual stance, she felt the eyes of every student on her.
"Who is she?"
"Is she a model?"
"Why is she just standing there?"
With her molten gold hair catching the afternoon light, she looked otherworldly, as if she had stepped straight out of a dream. But her expression remained indifferent, her eyes fixed on the screen.
Her mind was elsewhere, on the small box tucked inside her purse. Inside, the lapel pin pulsed faintly, Its gem infused with a piece of her.
Inside the Aurellian Academy
"Dude, have you seen the girl outside the gate?" Cassian said, nudging Nullen. The two were leaning against the corridor wall, watching the crowd pass by.
"No," Nullen muttered, his eyes fixed on the ground, uninterested.
Cassian's grin widened. "Man, they say she's a total knockout. Maybe I should go say hi."
Nullen barely blinked, his expression flat and unmoved, but something about the whispers tugged at his attention. A group of students was gathered near the window, peering outside.
Cassian grabbed his arm, pulling him toward the window. "Look, there she is."
Nullen's gaze followed Cassian's pointing finger and his jaw clenched.
Standing by the gate was Iridea, her posture composed, her eyes downcast as she scrolled through her phone. Even in the chaos of the academy crowd, she stood out like a bright light.
"What is she doing here?" Nullen muttered, more to himself than to Cassian.
Cassian's brows shot up. "Wait… you know her?"
Nullen's jaw worked, his tone dropping to a flat, cold monotone. "My fiancée."
Cassian's jaw dropped. "Fiancée?! That goddess is your fiancée?"
Nullen said nothing, his gaze fixed on Iridea. What was she doing here?
(Flashback to Before the Academy Visit)
Moonlight slipped through the curtains, casting a gentle glow.
Iridea sat at her vanity, the lapel pin resting in her palm. It was simple yet elegant , a sleek silver design with a single elite gem embedded at the center.
But it wasn't just any gem.
Iridea closed her eyes, inhaling deeply as she let her emotions surface , frustration, annoyance, resentment, and something else she couldn't quite name.
Colors surged beneath her skin, swirling in shades of gold, pink, and deep violet. With a steady hand, she pressed her fingers against the gem, her essence seeping into it. The gem pulsed, absorbing the vibrant hues, taking in a piece of her.
When she finally opened her eyes, the gem glowed softly as if it now held a heartbeat of its own.
She exhaled, her shoulders slumping as she placed the lapel pin in a small, ornate box and snapped it shut.
----
Cassian practically bounced down the steps, his eyes locked on Iridea. "Man, if she's half as pretty as they say—"
"Cassian," Nullen said, his tone cutting, "just don't."
Cassian grinned, ignoring him.
Iridea's eyes flicked up as they approached. Her expression remained unreadable, but her gaze settled on Nullen , his dark, cold eyes that gave away nothing.
"What brings you here, princess?" Nullen said, his tone laced with sarcasm.
Iridea straightened, her hand slipping into her purse. "I was nearby," she said smoothly. "I have something to give you."
From behind her back, she pulled out a small box and extended it to Nullen.
Nullen didn't even glance at it. Without a word, he took the box and slipped it into his pocket, as if it were a meaningless trinket. "Thanks."
Cassian blinked. "Dude, seriously?"
Iridea's lips twitched, caught between amusement and irritation. Same old Nullen , cold, dismissive, unreadable.
Before she could turn away, Cassian nudged Nullen. "Dude, introduce me at least."
Nullen's eyes remained blank. "Cassian. Iridea Solenne, My fiancée."
Cassian extended his hand, his smile charming but slightly nervous. "Hi, nice to meet you."
Iridea's gaze dropped to his hand but she didn't take it. Instead, she bowed her head slightly, a polite, distant gesture that only made her seem even more distant.
Cassian's hand dropped, his smile faltering. "Okay then."
Iridea turned back to Nullen, her eyes briefly flicking to his pocket. "I'll go now. Excuse me."
Nullen watched her walk away, her hair a shimmering waterfall of gold and violet, each step as poised and graceful as ever.
Cassian whistled low. "Damn, she's stunning. You sure you're not into her, man?"
Nullen's expression didn't change, but his fingers unconsciously brushed against the box in his pocket.
"Not even a little," he said, voice flat.