I Killed The Main Characters

The hallway leading to the main hall was dimly lit, with only the moonlight streaming in through tall, arched windows to illuminate the way.

Princess Elara Von Velden adjusted the hem of her long, crimson gown as she walked, her posture as regal as her lineage demanded.

She was returning from the restroom to the grand after-party that was being held for the first-year students at Ravenwood Academy.

As she turned a corner, her sharp senses picked up the faintest sound of footsteps behind her.

In an instant, her instincts took over.

Without a second thought, Elara spun around, grabbed the arm of the shadowy figure behind her, and slammed him to the ground with surprising strength.

Her knee pressed into the man's back as she wrenched his arm behind him.

Her free hand gripping the back of his head and forcing his face against the cold marble floor.

"Why are you following me?"

She hissed, her voice low and dangerous.

The moonlight filtering through the window caught the fiery strands of her red hair, making her seem almost otherworldly.

Her crimson eyes glared down at the man, filled with malice.

The middle-aged man groaned under her grip, wincing as his cheek scraped against the polished floor.

"Your Highness, please—wait! I'm not your enemy!"

He choked out, raising a hand in surrender.

Elara pressed harder, her grip unwavering.

"I don't trust the words of someone sneaking around in the shadows."

She said coldly.

"Speak quickly, or I'll have the guards deal with you."

"I'm Professor Caelan Draemyr," the man gasped.

"You might remember me…as Instructor Alric Draemyr from your swordsmanship lessons when you were a child."

Elara froze for a moment, her grip loosening just enough for the man to take a deep breath.

The name rang a bell, but not in a way that evoked fond memories.

Alric Draemyr—the brother of the man who was beheaded at the imperial palace.

Her tension rose at the thought, and she pushed him harder into the floor.

"Y-your brother killed my brother."

Professor Draemyr remained silent for a moment, his face still pressed against the floor.

Then, with measured calm, he said.

"And yet, here I stand before you, Princess Elara.

Not as a man of the past, but as a professor here at Ravenwood Academy, ready to serve its students—including you."

Elara's grip slackened slightly, her mind racing.

She studied his face, now turned toward her as much as her hold allowed.

His expression was calm, respectful even, though there was a faint glint in his dark eyes that she didn't trust.

"Why are you really here?"

She demanded.

The professor slowly shifted, and Elara let him up, though she didn't let her guard down.

Caelan placed a hand on his chest, bowing slightly in deference.

"Your Highness, I merely heard that you came this way and thought it would be appropriate to welcome you to Ravenwood personally.

It is an honor to have a member of the royal family among the students."

Elara's lips thinned.

"Save your formalities...

You could have greeted me at the party like everyone else."

Caelan smirked faintly, his hand still over his chest.

"Forgive me for my lack of propriety, Princess.

I simply wanted to express, in private, that whatever has transpired in the past does not need to dictate our interactions here at the academy.

I hope there will be no ill will between us."

Elara's crimson eyes narrowed.

She knew better than to trust someone who was affiliated with the death of her elder brother.

His brother's betrayal had cost her family dearly, and she couldn't believe for a second that this man didn't share some of that treachery in his blood.

"You expect me to believe that?"

She said, her voice dripping with skepticism.

"I expect nothing, Your Highness."

He replied smoothly, bowing his head slightly.

"But I am here as your instructor, nothing more.

I have no intention of stirring up old wounds.

My role is simply to teach."

"You choice of words are something else...

Of you don't mind I'll be heading back. "

Caelan's smirk widened ever so slightly, though he quickly masked it with a neutral expression.

"As you wish, Princess Elara...

...I wouldn't dream of causing you any trouble."

Elara stepped back, crossing her arms as she watched him rise to his feet.

His movements were deliberate and unhurried, as if he wasn't at all fazed by her earlier assault.

The faint smirk returned as he adjusted his jacket, his dark eyes gleaming with a mixture of amusement and something she couldn't quite place.

"Enjoy the rest of your evening, Your Highness."

He said, inclining his head.

"And please, do not hesitate to reach out if you ever need guidance in your studies—or anything else."

Elara didn't respond, her eyes narrowing as he turned and began walking away.

She stood there for a moment, watching his retreating figure with a sense of unease.

As she turned to head back to the party, she muttered to herself.

"Why didn't Leo tell me about this man being a professor here? If he knew…"

***

Seated at an ornate table adorned with golden embroidery and fine white linen, Leo von Velden exuded a poised yet casual demeanor, sipping from a glass of deep red wine.

His crimson eyes, sharp and calculating, observed the room with the detached interest of someone who had seen far too many such gatherings.

His thoughts were interrupted by the sudden approach of a guard clad in discreet yet polished armor, the royal crest gleaming faintly under the chandeliers.

The man leaned down and whispered something into Leo's ear.

Leo placed his glass on the table and leaned back in his chair, fingers drumming against the armrest as a faint smirk tugged at his lips.

"So," he said softly, his voice carrying an edge of curiosity, "my sister met Caelan..."

The guard straightened, his expression impassive but tinged with a flicker of apprehension under the prince's gaze.

Leo gestured lazily with his hand.

"Details. Spare nothing."

The guard cleared his throat quietly, then spoke in measured tones.

"As per your request, Your Highness, I kept a close eye on Caelan.

He did indeed cross paths with the Princess earlier this evening.

Their interaction was brief, and I couldn't overhear the specifics of their conversation."

Leo raised an eyebrow, his smirk fading into a more contemplative expression.

"Go on."

"Your sister appeared to be the one who initiated physical contact—"

"She attacked him?"

Leo interjected, his voice a mixture of amusement and disbelief.

"Yes, Your Highness.

Though it seemed... reasonable given the context..."

The guard explained hastily.

"Caelan appeared to be following her through the east corridor of the hall.

The Princess likely felt threatened and acted accordingly.

However, I should note that Caelan did not show any signs of hostility or aggression toward her.

If anything, he seemed calm during the exchange."

Leo tapped his chin thoughtfully.

"Calm, you say? That doesn't quite fit his usual antics.

And my dear sister—ever the fiery one, isn't she?

Always acting first and thinking later."

The guard remained silent, waiting for the prince's response.

"Interesting."

Leo muttered to himself, then directed his attention back to the guard.

"Continue updating me on both of them.

I want to know everything—where he goes, who he meets, and especially if he crosses paths with my sister again.

If there's even a whisper of danger, I expect you to act swiftly."

The guard bowed his head.

"Understood, Your Highness."

As the guard withdrew, Leo leaned forward, resting his elbows on the table and clasping his hands together.

His crimson eyes gleamed with an unreadable intensity as he considered the implications of the interaction.

"Caelan, Caelan, Caelan..."

He mused under his breath, a wry smile curving his lips.

"What game are you playing this time?

Whatever it is, I'll make sure you don't step out of line."

He sighed, picking up his wineglass again.

The rich liquid swirled gently, mirroring the turbulence of his thoughts

Despite his relaxed posture, Leo's mind raced with strategies and contingencies.

Though he trusted his sister's strength and fiery temperament, the fact that Caelan had been near her at all left a sour taste in his mouth.

Caelan was an enigma—a wildcard whose motivations were difficult to discern.

That made him dangerous, and Leo couldn't afford to let someone like that wander unchecked near his family.

The soft clink of crystal glasses echoed in the lavish banquet hall as Leopold sipped his wine leisurely.

Yet his sharp ears caught the sudden rise in commotion.

A loud, indignant voice cut through the ambient noise.

"Is there something wrong with your eyes?"

Leopold arched a curious brow and turned his gaze toward the source of the disturbance.

His crimson eyes sparkled with intrigue as he observed the scene unfolding near the refreshment table.

Elara, her elegant gown soaked in deep red wine.

The shattered remains of a glass glittered at her feet like fallen stars.

Opposite her, equally drenched and clearly fuming, stood Noah Ashbourne.

His wet hair clung to his forehead, his tailored suit now stained with the same wine.

His piercing gaze locked onto Elara, his expression a mixture of disdain and barely restrained fury.

The room fell silent as all eyes turned to the spectacle, tension thick in the air.

Seated at a distance, Leopold couldn't help but smile.

His gloved hand moved gracefully, placing his half-empty glass on the table beside him.

Then, with a slight tilt of his head, he rested his white-gloved hand against his cheek, the epitome of relaxed amusement.