NOVEL NEXT Chapter 169: President 2
Chapter 169: President 2
Days passed, and the academy's atmosphere grew increasingly tense as the elections finally reached their critical stage.
The tension among the students was palpable, with every hallway conversation and
classroom discussion inevitably circling back to the same topic: who would emerge victorious.
The initial consensus seemed to favor Princess Snow, the clear front-runner who had garnered widespread support.
However, as the days went by, the race took an unexpected turn.
Three names now dominated the conversation: Snow, Rose, and a surprising contender who had surged ahead in the last week-Dorothy, the ex-president.
Her rise had caught many off guard, especially considering the lack of momentum she had early in the campaign.
But everything changed when Clara, a key figure with significant influence, threw her full support behind Dorothy.
Clara's endorsement had an immediate and electrifying effect on the student body. Interest in Dorothy skyrocketed, and students began to see her in a new light.
The potential benefits of supporting Dorothy, especially with Clara's backing, became too enticing to ignore.
Families with ties to commerce and trade saw an opportunity to gain favor, and Dorothy's campaign began to draw in a new wave of support from those who valued strategic alliances over ideology.
The sudden shift in Clara's position, stepping down from her own candidacy, had been another surprise.
Clara had been a favorite in the race, and her decision to back Dorothy instead of running herself raised many eyebrows.
But for those who understood Clara's mindset as a merchant, the move made sense. Her withdrawal wasn't seen as a retreat but rather as a calculated decision to support someone who could offer tangible benefits in return.
The question on everyone's mind now was how Dorothy had managed to secure Clara's support.
What had transpired behind closed doors that had led to such a powerful alliance? Students speculated endlessly; their curiosity piqued by the mystery.
Dorothy, who had once seemed like a fading star, was now a serious contender, her campaign fueled by newfound energy and resources.
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"I can't believe you'd hit me like this, Riley... especially after denying my invitation last time..."
Princess Snow's voice held a sharp edge, her words dripping with both reproach and a hint of wounded pride.
The room around them, bathed in the shimmering light of ornate magic chandeliers, reflected her dual nature-extravagant yet restrained, a blend of royal opulence and personal modesty.
The space was undeniably grand, filled with luxurious furniture and rich decor, yet it retained an air of careful elegance, a reflection of Snow's personality.
Riley, seated in one of the three available chairs, looked almost out of place in the lavish surroundings.
The chair itself, more akin to a small sofa due to its size, cradled him in comfort, but Riley seemed more focused on maintaining his composure than enjoying the luxury.
This was the royal office of Princess Snow, located within the prestigious royal halls of the academy-a place few could ever hope to enter.
The room was reserved for royalty, nobility, and those of status nearly equal to Snow's.
Even then, an audience with the esteemed princess was a rare honor.
But the tension in the air suggested that this wasn't just a formal visit.
Snow's expression, usually calm and composed, was tinged with frustration, her icy blue eyes narrowing slightly as she regarded Riley.
Her outfit, a blue-collared shirt paired with her iconic white cardigan, added a layer of softness to her appearance, but her stance and the subtle tightness in her posture spoke of her displeasure.
Riley, sensing the growing anger beneath her polite facade, calmly sipped the freshly brewed tea that one of Snow's servants had provided.
The rich aroma filled the room, but the warmth of the tea did little to ease the chill in Snow's gaze.
He deliberately avoided making eye contact with her, focusing instead on the tea as if it were the most fascinating thing in the world.
"I don't know what you're talking about, Your Highness," Riley replied, his tone deliberately neutral.
His words only seemed to aggravate her further. Snow's fingers tightened slightly around the edge of her desk, the subtle movement betraying her inner turmoil.
"At least look me in the face if you're going to deny it... and it's Snow, remember?" Her voice was both playful and firm, the slight edge in her tone hinting at her impatience.
"I am not exactly lying, Your Highness," Riley replied, his gaze still avoiding hers, his tone careful.
Snow narrowed her eyes, her annoyance masked by a teasing smile. "Do you want me to kiss you in public again?"
The room fell into a tense silence at her words. Riley's expression stiffened, and he finally looked up, meeting her gaze directly.
The memory of that public display, a bold move by Snow that had taken everyone-including Riley-by surprise, hung heavy between them.
It wasn't just a kiss; it was a statement, a claim in front of the academy's eyes.
"...Snow..." he muttered, his voice barely above a whisper, the weight of the situation settling over him.
Seeing Riley's troubled expression, Snow's smile grew, a satisfied glint in her eyes.
She watched as he meticulously scanned the room, taking in the presence of her servants and the knights stationed at their posts.
He was clearly uncomfortable, caught between the formalities of their surroundings and the personal nature of their conversation.
In truth, Snow didn't care much about Riley using Clara, one of her most valuable assets, against her in the election.
That was politics, after all—an expected part of the game they were both playing.
No, what really bothered her was something far more personal: the fact that Riley had
declined to partner with her in the recent Duo matches.
Even now, the sting of that day lingered.
Despite her confession and even kissing him, Riley had chosen to team up with another girl,
leaving Snow feeling slighted and, more importantly, left out.
With a gentle lift of her arm, Snow dismissed her servants with a wave, the knights taking
their cue to exit the room as well.
The door closed behind them, leaving the two alone in the vast space.
Snow's demeanor shifted slightly, her teasing smile softening into something more genuine
as she focused on Riley.
"Did you do that on purpose?" Riley asked, his voice tinged with frustration as he finally allowed himself to meet her gaze without the burden of onlookers.
"Whatever could you mean?" Snow replied, her tone light and airy, deliberately playing coy
as she leaned back in her seat, her eyes sparkling with mischief.
Riley sighed inwardly, understanding Snow's grudge against him.
He knew his refusal to partner with her during the duo matches had stung, especially with all
the rumors swirling around them.
Being denied so publicly, especially in front of so many students, must have been humiliating
for her.
"Riley, will you partner up with me-"
"Ah, I'm sorry, Snow. I've already made plans with Rose..."
That moment played over in his mind. He knew it wasn't just that rejection that brought him
here today, though.
"So, why did you call for me, Snow?" he asked, trying to steer the conversation back on track.
"Being quick on matters isn't exactly a good thing, you know~," Snow teased, her voice laced
with playful mockery.
"But it is efficient,"
"Are you saying spending time with me is a bad thing?"
"No... but each of us has our own responsibilities. We have to keep up with our academic schedules, right? And coincidentally, I have a practical exam happening today... during this
exact moment."
"Fufu... coincidence can be quite amusing, isn't it?"
"I don't think any of this is amusing, though..."
Snow's smirk deepened, her blue eyes twinkling with a mix of amusement and something else
-something Riley couldn't quite place. It was as if she was toying with him, enjoying the
little power play between them.
Riley glanced at the clock on the wall, subtly reminding himself of the time.
He knew Snow was aware of his exam; she always seemed to know everything.
Yet, here they were, locked in this verbal dance, and he couldn't help but feel a little trapped.
"Snow, I really should be going soon..."
"Hmm, what's the rush? Don't you want to spend more time with me?"
Riley sighed again. "It's not that, Snow. I just—"
"Just what? Feel guilty for turning me down? Or is it something else?"
Riley paused, searching for the right words as he realized why Snow was acting this way.
He knew he couldn't win this battle of words with her, not when she was in this kind of mood.
"It's not about guilt. I just have to prioritize what's important right now."
"And I'm not important?"
"That's not what I meant."
Snow's expression softened slightly, her teasing demeanor fading as she looked at him with
genuine curiosity. "Then what did you mean?"
Riley met her gaze, finally giving her the attention she wanted. "I meant that I value our time together, but I also have obligations I can't ignore. We both do."
Snow studied Riley for a moment, her playful smirk lingering as she let out a small, almost inaudible sigh. "Fine. Go take your exam. But kiss me first...."
"..." Riley blinked, caught off guard by the sudden request. "On second thought... maybe it's
too late for me to take it," he muttered, his resolve wavering under the intensity of her gaze.
"Fufu, you really are quite indecisive, even after everything..." Snow teased, her voice a mix of amusement and something more tender.
He sighed, knowing he was treading on dangerous ground.
Snow had a way of drawing him in, making him second-guess himself with just a few words.
"Although I want to tease you a bit more, I'll forgive you for now~" she added, her tone
shifting to something lighter.
"Don't worry about you're class I've already informed your professor about your time here... your exam is probably going to get reschedule at a later day maybe tomorrow perhaps~" Riley let out a breath he hadn't realized he was holding, relieved by her sudden change in
demeanor.
This was Snow's office so there was bound to be shadow knights surrounding her right now... watching and listening closely to their conversation, any form of mishaps with her could trigger something he really didn't want from the emperor.
But before he could fully relax, Snow's next words pulled him back into the depths of their
ongoing power play.
"Anyways.... Did you know, Riley, most of the commercial district is controlled by Clara?" Snow began, her voice taking on a more serious tone. "Even with all the other merchantry businesses being placed there, the true owner of most of them is likely her. They are all quite
literally right under the palm of her hands."
Riley's eyes widened slightly.
He knew Clara was powerful, but hearing it spelled out like this made the reality sink in even
deeper. Snow continued, her gaze never leaving his.
"In a literal sense, almost everything commercial-wise is right under Clara's control. That's why she's such a popular candidate in the run for student council president. Some even hoped
for her to actually win against me, in the hopes of getting a part of her absolute control and monopoly over the market."
Riley nodded slowly, understanding the gravity of what Snow was saying. Clara's influence wasn't just about wealth; it was about power, connections, and the ability to shape the very structure of the academy's economy.
And now, by aligning with Dorothy, he had essentially handed that power to another faction.
Snow leaned back in her chair, her blue eyes gleaming with a mix of curiosity and something else-something darker.
"Despite her greedy nature, Clara isn't exactly one to just leave her people behind either... and now, Riley, you've given the support and power of that person to another."
Riley felt a cold shiver run down his spine.
Snow's words were laced with an unspoken warning, a reminder of the delicate balance of
power within the academy.
He had made a move, one that had shifted the scales, and now he had to deal with the
consequences.
He met Snow's gaze, trying to gauge her true intentions.
Was she upset with him for this decision, or was she simply testing him, seeing how far she
could push him before he broke?
Either way, Riley knew he had to be careful.
Snow was a master at this game, and one wrong move could tip the scales entirely out of his
favor.
"I can understand you using Clara for Rose's sake as she's your partner but for it to be the Ex- president... what exactly are you planning Riley?"
The chaos he brought for doing something like that was something Snow clearly can't
ignore... but that wasn't all.
Rose, Seo, Clara and Alice... there were already too many girls surrounding Riley.... and right now it was clear that another power was probably going to come at play with his heart. Snow's eyes couldn't help but look at Riley with a raised brow wondering just how many more
girls he's planning to seduce.
'As the future first wife I need to be prepared!'