The Darklord Who Just Wanted a Nap
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The Grand Pairing Ceremony was a tradition of prestige at Astralis Academy.
Each year, noble scions and promising talents were officially partnered for elite dueling sessions, strategic groupings, and social-political cultivation. In simple terms—who you stood beside in this event reflected your standing in the academy, your family's power, and sometimes, your fate.
Today's event was being held in the Celestial Hall, the largest marble-floored dome on campus. Crimson banners of the Academy fluttered under the floating crystal chandeliers. Teachers, nobles, and even a few royal family members were in attendance.
I stood somewhere in the middle, not particularly interested.
The ceremony was too long. Too loud. Too pointless.
I just wanted to get back to my room and maybe nap with the window open.
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"Next Pairing: Lady Elira Velcaryn and Lord Kael Vaelthorn."
The moment those words rang out, the hall stirred.
Elira. The Princess. The female lead of this world.
And me. The former villain who was supposed to die alone and unloved.
She walked forward confidently, head held high, silver hair catching the chandelier light like moonlight woven into silk.
All eyes turned to her.
Then to me.
I yawned and stepped forward casually.
The announcer smiled awkwardly, sensing tension.
"Elira Velcaryn, do you accept this pairing?"
A pause.
A long, deliberate pause.
And then—
"No. I reject this pairing."
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The hall fell into stunned silence.
Even the announcer blinked.
"Elira…?"
She turned her head toward the crowd. "I do not accept Duke Vaelthorn's son as my partner. I have the right to refuse. And I choose to."
Soft gasps echoed.
Whispers began like fire across dry leaves.
"Did she just reject a Duke's heir?"
"Publicly?"
"Doesn't she know—"
"She likes that other boy, right? The scholarship one—what's his name? Riven?"
"No one's ever rejected Kael Vaelthorn before..."
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I stood quietly. Looking at her.
No anger. No pain. Just… blank.
She stared at me for a moment, maybe expecting rage. Or wounded pride. Or arrogance.
But I just gave a light shrug and said:
"Alright then. Thanks for letting me know."
I turned around and walked off the stage like I'd just finished a math exam.
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The Reactions
Even the nobles in the viewing balconies were confused.
"Was that all?"
"Is he pretending not to care?"
"Or… is he actually that indifferent?"
Vice Principal Caine adjusted his monocle in silence.
Principal Vaelaria narrowed her glowing eyes.
"That boy… continues to act against every expectation."
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Elsewhere in the Crowd
Lyra stood near the back, clutching her notebook, staring.
Her heart beat strangely.
That wasn't how anyone reacted to public rejection. Not someone with pride. Not a noble.
But Kael… wasn't just prideful.
He seemed… free.
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Later That Evening – Kael's Room
I lay back on the soft bed, arm behind my head, staring at the ceiling.
Rejected. Humiliated. Publicly.
And yet, all I could think was:
"Does the academy bakery still have those cinnamon bread rolls?"
There was something funny about the whole situation.
Because I wasn't the original Kael.
And I sure as hell wasn't here to fight for anyone's attention.
I was here to live well, eat better, and sleep best.
But somehow… things just kept getting dramatic.
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