Rise of the Bullied Luna Queen

Dream school or nightmare?

~RUBY~

As Anastasia caught sight of me stepping into the sleek, black limousine dispatched by the royal academy to take us to the Royal School, shock painted her features. Wide-eyed, she looked between me and her mother who was standing outside of the car a silent plea in her gaze, expecting the usual intervention she often orchestrated. Perhaps she anticipated her mother yanking me out of the car or halting this unexpected journey.

But this time, there was no such intervention. Finally, I was freed from them.

"What in the world are you doing here?" Her words sliced through the air. "You shouldn't be here. I thought Father destroyed your letter. How did you manage to come, and what on earth are you wearing?" She gestured to my attire, murmuring in hushed tones to evade the notice of the royal messenger settled in the front seat. "You're not supposed to be here!"

Raising the unscathed letter triumphantly, I countered her disbelief. "Did you honestly believe I'd stay behind? That the letter turned to ashes?" I smirked. "The moon goddess willed my presence at the royal guard so fervently that the letter survived. This is my destiny, and nothing can stop it."

As the car set in motion, she remained in silence for a while before resuming her rant. "I won't allow you to bring disgrace upon me at the royal academy! Do you even comprehend what that school signifies? It's no ordinary institution, and you are not worthy of being there."

Ignoring her, I fixed my gaze on the passing scenery, relishing the unfamiliar sight of trees racing by. It wasn't merely my inaugural luxury car ride but also my departure from the desolate realm I'd been confined to. My stepmother ensured I was secluded from family gatherings, but now, I reveled in the journey, watching the roadside greenery with a smile.

"I'm speaking to you!" Her voice edged toward a yell, but my silence irked her. Swiftly, she dug her heels into my toes. The pain made me wince, meeting her hazel eyes. She mirrored her mother's malevolent grin, pointing accusatorily. "You could've stayed home. I'll make your life a living hell. You'll regret the day you set foot in the Royal Academy!" Her heels bore down harder as she threatened me through gritted teeth.

Suppressing the urge to scream, I bit my lip, refusing to draw the messenger's attention. Enduring the pain silently, I knew drawing focus would spell disaster.

"I'll make your life unbearable and ensure you realize—" Her threat halted abruptly as the car careened into an alarming speed.

Relief washed over me when her heel lifted, but as I reached for composure, the absence of my seatbelt sent me tumbling from my seat, Anastasia landing beside me. Before we could regain our footing, the car accelerated further, sending us airborne repeatedly, a dizzying ride that culminated only when the car finally halted, the doors swinging open to our bewildered forms.

I gasped for breath, my lungs straining as the royal messenger declared our arrival. Anastasia, in a fit of disorientation, hurled herself out of the car, retching violently in front of an imposing white gate.

"What the hell was that?" she exclaimed, her voice laced with panic.

"I apologize. If you had read what was inside the luggage, you would understand that the only way to travel to the royal academy is through teleportation," the royal messenger explained, his head bowed in apology. "Welcome to the royal academy," he added with a formal bow.

Silently absorbing the information, I fixated on the colossal gate, a grand entrance to Eclipsia Royale. The very name sent shivers of anticipation down my spine. My dreams were manifesting, stepping into the reality of a prestigious school, a place I'd only seen on television.

"This is where we part," the royal messenger announced, preparing to leave, but I stopped him, tearing my eyes from the magnificent gate.

"How am I going to get new school uniforms and how..." I began, only to be cut off.

"You don't have to worry about that. I've already informed the royal admission officer about you. Since you're a unique case, you'll be recognized," he reassured me.

A forced smile adorned my face, aware of the implicit insinuation that I was a charitable exception.

Before I could inquire further, the messenger and his companion vanished into the limousine, leaving no trace behind. I sighed and rubbed my hands nervously, trailing my luggage towards the gate. Meanwhile, Anastasia struggled with her multiple bags.

"Aren't you going to help me?" she shouted at me. "You're supposed to..."

"Not this time," I retorted, making my way into the school as the gate swung open. Once inside, the fragrant scent of lavender enveloped me, and I inhaled deeply, feeling an overwhelming sense of triumph. The gentle breeze hinted at a promising journey at the royal academy.

"Move out of the way!" I was abruptly shoved to the ground by an unseen force. Pain shot through my elbow as it scraped against the ground. As I recovered, loud voices rose around me, chanting ominous words.

"Deal with him!"

"Send him away!"

"Die!"

Confused and disoriented, I raised my head, scanning for the source of the commotion.

A horde of students sprinted in all directions as if fleeing from an imminent threat. Desperate to make sense of the chaos, I stood and looked for someone to approach, but the sea of students swallowed any hope of assistance. Anastasia who was behind me was nowhere in sight.

With no understanding of the turmoil unfolding, I began running, my instincts screaming at me to escape whatever danger lurked. I halted in front of a towering skyscraper, its shades of purple and teal matching the school uniform. Gasping for breath, I placed a trembling hand on my chest, grateful for the momentary reprieve. Yet, the echoing cries of my fellow students continued to reverberate in the distance. "Now I have to find..." I trailed off, realizing that the unknown challenges awaiting me at Eclipsia Royale were far more daunting than I could have ever imagined.

"Please!" A voice pierced through the air, jolting me from my reverie.

Confused, I scanned my surroundings, searching for the source of the cry. Stepping backward, my eyes caught two figures atop the rooftop. One boy knelt before the other, head bowed submissively.

Frowning, I observed the tense scene unfold. The commanding boy uttered chilling words, "If you want to be free, jump." With those callous instructions, he turned to leave.

My heart lurched as the kneeling boy rose and strode toward the edge, arms outstretched, and then he fell. I stood frozen, powerless to prevent the tragic descent. No time for screams, just the sickening spectacle of his body crashing to the ground before me, blood staining the ground, eyes fixed on me in a haunting gaze.

A strangled gasp escaped me as I stumbled backward, collapsing to the ground, consumed by fear. Looking up, I locked eyes with the aloof figure on the rooftop, his teal blue gaze unfaltering, even amidst the blinding sun. He sauntered away, indifferent to the horror below.

Paralyzed by shock, I remained, hoping my horrified silence might summon aid. Minutes passed, and the boy lay motionless. The wail of approaching sirens shattered the eerie quiet. Only then did students cautiously emerge from hiding.

Disbelief washed over me. Was this my dream school or a nightmare's domain? The callousness of the students, their laughter, and callous snapshots in the face of tragedy chilled me to the core.

Amidst the indifferent crowd, my gaze fixated on the perpetrator. As he appeared, a path cleared before him, students yielding to his presence. Anger surged within me at their indifference. Having endured such mistreatment myself, I couldn't turn away from this blatant act of violence. I clenched my fists, eyes narrowed in fury, refusing to be a bystander to this atrocity.

"He killed the boy!" My voice ripped through the chaos, pointing an accusing finger at the culprit.