Chapter 65: Preparing for a New Plan
Shani let out a series of heavy sighs, prompting the three people sharing her table to exchange worried glances. Each of them silently speculated on what was making her brow furrow so deeply.
In truth, Shani wasn’t in any real trouble. She was simply nervous, constantly replaying her recent business discussion with Mina’s adoptive parents.
They had agreed to her proposal to invest and supply product recipes. However, Shani couldn’t shake the feeling that they were treating her like a child rather than an equal partner.
She sighed once more, thinking to herself, ’Looks like I’ll have to work a lot harder.’
"Shan, are you alright?" Kiran asked, tired of trying to guess on her own.
Shani turned to her in confusion, unaware that her heavy sighs had put everyone on edge.
Realization set in a few seconds later, and a smile broke across her face. "I’m fine. I was just wondering where would be a good place to rent an apartment or a house."
The three of them remembered that Shani wasn’t originally from Argenor and had no one here.
"If you need a place to stay outside the academy, why not come with me to Blackwood Mansion?" Kiran suggested, practically bouncing with excitement. "The room next to mine is empty, and my cousins are dying to meet you!"
Shani gave her an appreciative smile, though she politely declined.
"If you prefer privacy, you can stay at The Gate Hotel for free. It’s mine," Jeryon said calmly from beside her.
Shani turned to look at him, her eyes widening in surprise.
’Is Jeryon finally flexing his prince wealth in front of me?’ She chuckled inwardly.
What caught her off guard was that the hotel’s name sounded familiar. But Shani hadn’t explored Aurelis enough to know its local hotels.
’Wait... I do know one hotel. The one near the Aurelis Terminal Center.’
A hazy memory surfaced in her mind. That day in the hallway, she had overheard the hotel staff mentioning that the hotel was built specifically as a residence for the prince.
’So Jeryon hasn’t lived in the Palace for a long time?’ Shani glanced back at Jeryon, her eyes softening with a touch of sympathy for what her partner must have gone through.
Catching her look, Jeryon mistook her sad expression for disapproval. "If you don’t want to, it’s fine," he added quickly.
"I don’t have a place to suggest, but I can ask my family’s butler," Noella chimed in.
"Great idea!" Shani gave her a thumbs-up. "Oh, right, one more thing. Do any of you know a lawyer experienced in business law, contracts, and things like that?"
"Are you really going to launch the Red Worm Jelly?" Kiran asked eagerly. She knew Shani had been busy experimenting with that baby beast treat.
Shani nodded.
Jeryon and Noella were also fairly familiar with the Red Worm Jelly.
Arthy, Noella’s baby beast, adored every fruit flavor. Noella wholeheartedly supported Shani’s plan. In her mind, there wasn’t a single baby beast in existence that could resist Red Worm Jelly.
"I can introduce you to a lawyer at Rosenbaum Law Firm. My uncle runs it," Noella said casually, completely oblivious to how intimidatingly grand that firm was.
"What’s going on? Why are we bringing lawyers into this?" Sonny asked, joining them as the rest of his classmates left the cafeteria.
Shani briefly explained her plans to find a lawyer and housing.
"For a lawyer, Noella’s recommendation is definitely your best bet. As for a place to live, I know a few affordable rental apartments in the central district," Sonny said, explaining that the central area was the city’s commercial hub, which would make things much easier for her down the line.
Shani eagerly typed down the names of the apartments Sonny recommended.
"Oh, right. There are also a few houses up for auction over there, just in case you want to buy a place outright. Though I doubt they’ll come cheap," Sonny added.
Shani bit her lower lip. She did want to buy a house outright, but property prices in the capital city made her hesitate.
Instinctively, her gaze drifted back to Jeryon. ’Looks like I really need to step up my game.’
Having finished their meal, the five of them walked out of the cafeteria. Shani gently tugged on the hem of Jeryon’s shirt, pulling him back slightly so they could walk a step behind the others.
"Is... something wrong?" Jeryon asked, caught off guard and instantly nervous.
"Why don’t you try looking for another partner—"
"What do you mean?" Jeryon cut her off, his voice rising slightly, tinged with hurt.
Sonny stopped, about to turn around, but Kiran immediately lunged forward, throwing an arm around his shoulders to keep him moving.
"Just keep walking," Noella whispered in perfect sync with Kiran.
Sonny glanced between Noella and Kiran in total confusion, but ultimately yielded to their pressure, swallowing his curiosity as they kept walking.
Trailing behind, only Shani and Jeryon remained, as their group had been the last to step out of the cafeteria.
Shani bit her lower lip, but she spoke her mind anyway. "You could get an A-Rank partner, maybe even someone higher than A-Rank. You need to show His Majesty the King right away that you—"
"I don’t need his recognition," Jeryon cut her off, his jaw tightening.
Shani said nothing, but Jeryon caught the sadness lingering in her crimson eyes. Seeing that look felt like a blade to his heart.
Taking a deep breath, possessed by a sudden urge to be completely honest, he decided to lay it all out.
"Up until a month ago, before entering the academy, I really did crave his recognition. I wanted to experience normal days, taking walks like a regular father and son. But the moment I achieved resonance for the first time, I found the only validation I needed. I was content with myself."
Jeryon looked deeply into her eyes. "Shani, I’m genuinely happy with everything I have right now. I’m happy to be your partner."
Thump. Thump. Thump.
Both of their hearts raced in near-unison, though neither was aware of it.
Shani was the first to look away. "Alright," she murmured, walking ahead to join their three friends standing by the elevator.
Jeryon trailed behind, pressing a hand against his wildly beating chest.
Kiran immediately switched the subject so Sonny, completely oblivious, wouldn’t make the atmosphere any more awkward.
Shani stayed quiet during the elevator ride, lost in her own thoughts.
Earlier, she had genuinely wanted Jeryon to prove to the King that he was no longer a cursed prince.
But his reaction made it impossible to push the matter any further, especially since he didn’t even realize he was cured yet.
Besides, she had been hoping Jeryon would have a baby beast with another partner so she could shower him with expensive gifts without worrying about being turned down.
’I really need a lot of money,’ Shani cried internally.
Once she was back in her room, Shani received a call from Aster, who told her they would be arriving in Aurelis within two days.
"I just found out why they were in such a hurry to leave," Aster said.
"What happened?" Shani asked, a bad feeling rising in her chest. She realized Mina had never mentioned what triggered their abrupt decision to pack up and move.
"Rumors spread at her school that Mina was just a lucky orphan adopted by a rich family. She was bullied for it."
"Mina was bullied?!" Shani gasped.
Aster let out a harsh breath. "Yeah. Thankfully, Mina fought back and immediately reported them to her teacher and adoptive parents. After looking into it, turns out the bullies were tied to her adoptive mother’s side of the family, House Miller."
Shani thumped her own chest, feeling a tight ache in her throat. She wanted nothing more than to see Mina right now and wrap the eight-year-old girl in a tight hug.
"Shan, once we’re in Aurelis, I won’t let anything like that happen to Mina again," Aster promised.
"If anyone dares try that here..." Shani left the sentence hanging. If anyone crossed that line, she genuinely wouldn’t be able to hold back.
Their call was cut short by a sudden knock at Shani’s door. Wrapping up the conversation, Shani walked over and opened it.
Two familiar faces stood on the other side.
Shani’s brow furrowed. "Lara Bennett, Leah Bennett... what do you want?"
"I know we’re the last people you want to see after everything that happened," Lara said calmly, a stark contrast to the emotional wreck she had become weeks ago.
"At least you’re self-aware," Shani replied coldly.
She saw no reason to be pleasant. She was more than willing to be petty toward people who deserved it.
Lara Bennett remained composed, but Leah, who had kept her head down the entire time, quietly clenched her fists at her sides.
"We came here to apologize," Lara said. "I’m sorry for blowing up at you, for trying to push Dave into hurting you, and for smearing your reputation."
The calm, genuine remorse in her voice caught Shani off guard. It felt like she was looking at a completely different person, not the Lara Bennett she knew.
’Is this the Lara Bennett Ella was talking about?’ Shani thought, recalling that Noella had never painted Lara as a bad person.
Lara turned to her younger sister. "Leah," she said firmly.
"I... I’m..."
...