***

The night’s cold and it felt nice against my skin but my hands reached up to pull on my hood out of habits only to halt in consciousness when they gripped nothing but the air and I shake my head slowly, remember that I've stopped wearing them for awhile now as I brought my hands back down again to continue their previous task, sorting my Runes dictionary and Advanced Arithmancy guide books into my locker from the other books in my bag,

Not much changed since the last time I walked through the school’s ground. Same suffocating feels, same tense atmosphere and same dark malevolent taste. After months of absence, I could almost miss the warm and friendly stares that I always received from almost all of the student body. Heh, as if,

They still avoid me like a plague, whispering among themselves as I passed by walking through the hallway with my mates when we reached school early this evening. Not that I complained though, I much rather have them avoiding me like this than having them fixed their eyes onto my neck like they did before the coronation party half a year ago,

But I couldn't help but notice a tad bit different things about the way they stared at me. The slight changes of behaviors that they shown. Instead of just pure hatred and distaste like they did in the past, I could felt the slight tinge of fear that swarmed through the atmosphere as I walk past them earlier even now when I looked around me, the almost tangible emotion burned my throat as they peaked my reaper interest,

Steal them

I frowned at the eerily sweet whisper,

Make them suffer

Let them fear you like how they should be

My eyes glistened at the malicious thoughts and squeeze them shut before I could succumb to the temptation as the urge becoming more and more tempting to refuse and the way my senses sharpened didn't help at all. The surge of emotions engulfed me like a syrupy sweet mist hazed my mind. I bit my bottom lip hard before slowly shake my head awake and the mist cleared almost instantly, leaving only a tinge of stray wisp of fear and pensiveness that polluted with a heavy distrust dominating the air as I inhaled. Nothing that I couldn't handle,

I stayed still, clearing my mind as I tried to focus on anything other than my surrounding and the weird satisfied feelings that appearing inside me after knowing that the cause of the fear that the students were having was none other than myself, I found myself thinking about my mates and instantly, smiles crept up onto my lips as I recalled their demands earlier this evening,

“we’ll see you at dinner, right?” JungKook hopeful voice snapped me back from my thoughts and I turn my head to look at him from the copy of my Runes dictionary as we stood right in front of my locker, preparing for our separated first and second period respectively. The other boys who scattered around by their lockers before now start to come over to join us,

I ignored them as I continued to put books into my bag quietly before closing my locker shut and then turn around to meet seven expecting puppies in front of me, my eyes twitches at the sight. Both from amusements and annoyance,

“you won't drop this till I say ‘yes’, were you?” I exasperatedly asked and JungKook nods his head, grinning from ear to ear. I turn to look at the other six boys and grimaced as I look at their expression, each sporting the same hopeful looks as the youngest heir. I sighed,

“okay, look, your reserved seat is in the middle of the cafeteria and you know how much I hate being the center of attention and before you could protest, being this center of attention and being the target of bad intention is a different things and also- oh no, don't give me that look, you know the meaning of sitting with you guys during dinner is and I’m not Nara to begin with, I didn’t enjoy being worshipped or whatsoever the term is. So, nope, not gonna happen, sorry boys”,

I watch their grins slowly turned upside down when their hope crushed by my lengthy rejection but JungKook -being pain in the that he is- wont back down that easily, as expected, he immediately retaliate. Rushing into another arguments,

“but you are one of the Royals too, Yeon, that was also your reserved seat, you are not supposed to be sitting alone in a some deserted tower, muncing on a tasteless sandwich like how you always did and you’ve been turning down our invitation handful of times already, don't you think it’s time to finally say ‘yes’?!”,

I pursed my lips together at this as I squinted my eyes at them in suspicion “how’d you know that?” I growled but the only response I got is an air of smugness,

TaeHyung openly smirked at me as he rest his left arm around Jimin’s shoulders who's clearly holding back a chuckles from leaving his lips. NamJoon was covering his mouth with his right hand as he tried to feign indifference but his eyes successfully gave him away meanwhile HoSeok shake in soundless laughter beside him while SeokJin and Yoongi watching with similar amused expression on their faces as they stand on JungKook’s left and right sides, listening as if they were watching a very entertaining show,

I catch a glimpse of mirth in Yoongi conceited looks and could finally put two and two together and figured out who’s the one stalked me when the image of a bunch of bats that occasionally popped out of nowhere when I had my lonely dinner in the past and recalled I start seeing the animals after our fated encounter at the tower the day I first stole his soul fragments,

“of course you’d be the one who did that, Yoongi oppa” I sighed in defeat and the said man just laugh heartily at the tone I used,

“in my defense, dear, I was in my mission on figuring out what you are that time and finding you alone in that tower was a pure coincidence,” he started, beaming his gummy smile at me as I lean my back onto my locker whilst massaging the bridge of my nose,

“you looked so pitiful, I almost ran towards the tower to console you, it hurts my heart seeing such a fragile little thing experiencing such loneliness” he taunt, mirth dripped in every syllable and found myself smirked in return,

“is that so? Or is that my reaper bound with you that make you feel like that?”,

Yoongi laughed at this “well, perhaps, the loneliness was so tangible that I could feel it even now, you know?” he answered and I scrunched my nose in annoyance, knowing the secret meaning behind those words. He always knows his games,

“well played, oppa, well played”,

He grinned in satisfaction when he saw my submission. SeokJin chuckled as he watch our banter ended with my reluctant surrender and shake his head,

“so, now we all know how lonely you could get in your dinner,”, the other boys snickered and I glared at the oldest but got ignored in turn as he just smiled back innocently before continuing, “join us?” he ask again,

“I told you I don't like the sitting arrang-”,

SeokJin cut me off even before I could finished the sentence as he reach out to ruffle my head lightly “that could be arranged, just come” he show me his crescent moon smile and I couldn't help the childish irritated feelings that formed inside me at how angelic he looked every time he did that. He’s so good looking it felt so unfair sometimes,

“you really wont let me hear the end of it, were you?”,

I turn my attention towards the other boys and instantly regretted the decision when my eyes landed on JungKook’s face. Big puppy-dog eyes and all as he mouthed “please?” before flashing me his bunny teeth grin and before I could comprehend what happened, I yielded,

And that’s how they managed to convince me and why I’m on my way towards the cafeteria right now,

I rarely came down to the cafeteria to eat and usually when I came was only to get one or two pastries to take with me before I go to the tower to enjoy my dinner. I stepped inside the crowded cafeteria and as if someone just suddenly turned the sounds off, the room fell silent when all the attention turned towards me as I stood on my feet at the door, feigning indifference with my poker face on whilst groaning in annoyance inside because of the sudden attention that I get before finally proceeded towards the buffet and brighten up immediately when I spot a particular food on one of the silver plates. Apple pies. I quickly take a plate and immediately take two slices of the pies after filling my tray with other foods before turn around to look for the reserved table,

I noticed the center place and brows shot up in surprise when I found the sophisticated table that usually occupied the spot was replaced by a common one. I look around before I found what -or who- I was searching for,

The Royals sit around their table, chattering and joking around as they always did. NamJoon watching HoSeok and Jimin having a sword fight with their chopsticks in amusement in his eyes, Yoongi literally turned his surrounding off as he scribbled on a notebook in front of him with his headphones on while SeokJin glued his eyes on his book. They clearly lost in their own world, unaware of anything around them as they did, all of them except for one. JungKook happily waving at me that I couldn't help but snorted at his antics as I make my way to the table which now located at the corner of the room, away from the other tables,

“when you said you’ll arranged it, I didn't expect it to be so literal” I commented lightly as I put my tray on top of the table before taking the empty seat between Yoongi and Jimin, the corner of my lips tugged upwards as I fixated my attention towards the oldest and SeokJin simply laughed as he shrugged, not even bothered to look up from his book,

“and? Is it good enough for you?” he ask casually and now it’s my turn laugh as I nod my head, appreciating the effort. Our dinner -or just mine to be exact, seeing how they already finished their foods when I joined them earlier- was rather pleasant, the boys doing either watching or asking me how my evening was considering none of them put either Arithmancy and Runes into their courses. Our conversation went peacefully before a frantic looking TaeHyung joined us right when I’m about to ask NamJoon and SeokJin of their youngest brother where about,

We all looked at the boy expectantly as he snatch JungKook’s cola and finish it in one go, ignoring the younger boy’s protest as he flattened his palm on top of JungKook’s face as he drank,

“you looked like you barely escaped a giant venomous tentacula” Yoongi commented, shifting his eyes from his notebook to look at TaeHyung with raised brows as he move closer to me and put his hand around my waist, I welcomed the gestures as I lean my head on his shoulder out of reflex and let out a pleased sigh which prompted Yoongi to pull me closer towards him as a quiet chuckles left his lips,

“not tentacula, but close” TaeHyung answered, deep crease evident in between his perfectly shaped eyebrows as he seated himself in between JungKook and HoSeok, earning a set of protest from the two boys. I couldn't help but raised an eyebrow as I optioned to listen in silence,

The answer might be ambiguous and makes no senses in others ears but from the reaction that the boys shown, clearly, they knew exactly just what or who they are talking about,

“she’s still at it then?”,

“she alway at it, hyung, it just… she’s becoming sort of unbearable lately” TaeHyung answered NamJoon question exasperatedly before reached out for my tray and casually took the apple. I send him incredulous looks which countered with a lift of an eyebrow as he stared back,

After a few second holding the staring battle, I shake my head in defeat, knowing that it would be pointless to play into his games and just let him do whatever he wants with my apple. TaeHyung smirked as he take a big victory bite of the fruit but strangely enough, I realize that I didn't find our banter as annoying as it used to be when the corner of my lips tugged upwards in a secret smile while continue nibbling on my pies, I let Jimin played with the tip of my hair meanwhile the conversation picked up again,

“what did she do this time? So she figured out your bizarre transformation already then. The angry papa bear?”,

TaeHyung rolled his eyes at HoSeok’s tease who giggled when the younger swat his hand away when they move closer to his golden locks -it’s clearly an inside joke between the two of them seeing how I noticed that the other boys were as confused as I am when we listening to their conversation, “stop that, and yes, she did and she wasn't very happy about it” TaeHyung grumbled,

“of course she would! You went as far as changing your appearance merely to avoid her! I’ll be confused if she didn't went ballistic” HoSeok exclaimed as he laugh and the others followed with snickers as they watch the youngest Kim reddened face, clearly looked both embarrassed and annoyed at the same time but said nothing as he grumbled incoherently under his breath even more,

I frowned a little at this, with fork stuck in between my lips as I stared back and forth at TaeHyung and HoSeok while trying to decipher just who the main topic of the conversation is,

“who-” I began but even before I could completed my question, the cafeteria doors slammed open loudly and TaeHyung face grew whiter as he muttered a low “!” then quickly ducked his head flat onto the table -I cringed a little when a faint ‘thud’ heard when his head make a contact with the surface of the table but alas, the boy didn't show any reaction to that so I guess he’s fine- while Yoongi mused “here comes the problem” beside me as he glanced shortly at the source of the noises before back to scribble on his note as if nothing happened,

I whip my head towards the doors and noticed that the other boys did the same when the said problem in a form of my beloved step sister stomped inside, seething in anger as she swept the room with her red eyes as if looking for something, or rather, someone,

She halted slightly when her eyes landed on our direction before turn to look at the center of the room where our table should have placed before turn back at our direction, hurt and disbelief flashes briefly in her eyes when she spotted TaeHyung’s form, planting his face flatly onto the table across me and the surprised looks that grazed her face before instantly disappeared back to its cold and distant glint. The realization dawned upon me and finally their conversation earlier  clicked,

Nara looked at me for a brief second, dumping all her hatred for me into that short exchange before turning back and exited the room, slamming the doors shut behind her as the silence lifted slowly and the whispers and chatters filled the room once again. The previous topic about me changed to the new one and I grimaced when I catch my name mixed with Nara in one of the hushed conversation. And just like that, that previous peaceful moment that we had ruined, as well as my mildly good mood. Ah, the joy of my life,

Sensing my discomfort, Jimin put his arm around me and my arm gently. I felt like my mood had skydived down to the deepest part of hell so the sweet gestures wasn't as effective as it should be in calming my nerve,

“don't mind them” he said after a brief moment and I shake my head at him. It’s not the gossips that bug me, Nara is. She just won't let me have a moment of peace,

“such a little pest, isn't she?” I grimaced, massaging my temple lightly before lifting my head to meet TaeHyung angry glare but