Chapter 374: Back to the basics

Electra’s POV

I was asleep when the knocking started, and at first, I thought I imagined it. The sound blended into the remains of whatever dream I had been having. Then it came again, and this time, it was firm, repetitive, and very much intentional.

My eyes opened slowly, and the room was still dim with pale morning light that slipped in through the curtains. It was early, way too early. I could feel it in the way my body resisted movement.

The knock came again, and I stared at the ceiling for a few seconds, waiting to see if it would stop. Unfortunately for me, it didn’t.

A tight irritation formed in my chest. I had barely slept through the night. My resting time had basically been nonexistent, and if I had to sum it up in two words, it would be “interrupted” and “incomplete.” My mind had refused to quiet down, and even now, it felt restless under my skin, like something unsettled had taken root inside me. I did not know why. I simply knew I did not want to deal with anyone.

The knocking continued.

I exhaled sharply and pushed the covers off. The floor was cold against my feet as I stood, and I ran a hand through my hair, already preparing to dismiss whoever had decided my door was more important than my sleep.

It was probably Seraphina.

She had a tendency to hover, to appear, and to look at me like she was expecting something. I did not understand what she wanted from me most of the time, but she seemed to want it consistently.

Another knock.

I walked to the door and opened it without softening my expression, and to my surprise, Irina stood there.

That made me pause. She looked alert, dressed, and awake in a way that suggested she had been up for a while.

I leaned slightly against the doorframe. “I didn’t expect to see you this soon,” I said evenly. “I assumed you would still be upset.”

Her eyebrows lifted. “Upset?”

“About yesterday,” I clarified. “The kiss.”

I watched her face carefully. I had analyzed the interaction multiple times after it happened, mostly because I wanted to understand the reaction I failed to feel.

Irina rolled her eyes. “Electra,” she said flatly, “we’ve been friends for years. Believe it or not, you kissing me out of nowhere isn’t even in the top ten craziest things I’ve seen you do.”

I considered that. “That suggests a pattern of instability,” I replied.

“It suggests you’ve always been dramatic and foolish with your actions,” she corrected. Then she pointed past me, into my room. “Now move.”

“For what purpose?” I asked.

“So you can get ready,” she said like it was obvious. “It’s the first day of class this week. I’m here to help you.”

I frowned, really hating the word ’help.’ It felt unnecessary.

“I am capable of preparing myself,” I said. “Also, it is too early.”

Irina stepped inside anyway, brushing past me without asking permission. “You’re barely functioning as a human lately,” she muttered. “So no, you’re not.”

I shut the door behind her. “I am functioning,” I replied calmly.

She turned and looked at me, really looked at me. Her expression shifted slightly, though I could not categorize it fully.

“You’re weird,” she said.

“That is not specific.”

“You’re off.”

I didn’t respond to that since I didn’t see the need.

Irina crossed her arms. “Bathroom. Now.”

I stared at her. “This is unnecessary.”

“You smell like sleep,” she fired back.

I rolled my eyes. “That is because I was asleep.”

She didn’t laugh. Normally, I think she would have, but instead, she walked toward my closet and opened it like she owned the place. “You have exactly ten minutes before I drag you in there myself.”

I watched her from where I stood. There was something almost efficient about her movements. Familiar and comfortable, as if this was not new behavior between us.

“You are very confident,” I observed.

She scoffed. “Because I know you.”

The statement landed strangely, and I hated that both she and Seraphina kept saying this. “You do not,” I said.

She glanced at me over her shoulder. “Excuse me?”

“You know a version of me,” I corrected. “That version no longer exists.”

The words felt factual, not emotional. Just accurate, but I could see her being offended even though I wasn’t sure I cared.

Her movements slowed. “Don’t start,” she said quietly.

I tilted my head slightly. “Start what?”

“This thing you’ve been doing,” she replied. “Talking like you’re some replacement.”

’Replacement.’ The word lingered.

“I am not a replacement,” I said. “I am simply current.”

She stared at me for a moment longer than necessary. “Bathroom,” she repeated.

I did not see value in arguing further. The sooner this interaction concluded, the sooner I could return to silence. So I walked past her and into the bathroom.

The mirror reflected a face that was familiar yet distant. My eyes looked clear, my expression neutral, and there were no visible signs of unrest, even though something inside me felt slightly misaligned.

The shower water had been hot enough to fog the mirror completely. I stood under it longer than necessary, not because I enjoyed it, but because the sound drowned everything else out. When I turned it off, the silence returned immediately.

I dried myself without rushing and wrapped a towel around my hair. For a brief second, I considered staying there longer just to avoid whatever conversation Irina was planning next, but that would only delay it.

So I opened the bathroom door and stepped out. Irina looked up instantly, and her expression shifted from neutral to annoyed in less than a second.

“Electra,” she said flatly, “haven’t I told you repeatedly to stop walking out naked when someone else is in the room?”

I paused mid-step. “You have mentioned it,” I replied.

“Mentioned it?” She stared at me. “I’ve lectured you about it.”

I shrugged lightly. “You also stated earlier that I have done far stranger things in front of you. Logically, this should not be alarming.”

Her eyes narrowed. “You are not using my own argument against me.”

I shrugged. “It was effective.”

“I cannot believe this.”

“You said kissing you was not even top ten, so this should be much easier to deal with,” I added.

She pressed her lips together and shook her head. “Just put something on.”

I glanced down at myself, then back at her. “Why is this particular state of undress more problematic than others? You are fully clothed, and I am not, but the difference is fabric. You can always get naked to make things less awkward.”

“The difference,” she said through clenched teeth, “is basic decency.”

“That concept is subjective.”

She looked like she was seconds away from throwing something at me, but instead, she exhaled sharply and pointed toward the bed. “Your uniform is there.”

I followed her gesture, and the clothes laid out were identical to what she was wearing.

I walked toward them slowly. “Is this mandatory?” I asked.

“Yes,” she answered.

“For every class day?” I asked again to make sure.

“Yes.”

I picked up the shirt and examined the collar. “Is this truly necessary? I get the feeling I’ll be uncomfortable in this.” I asked.

Irina blinked. “You cannot be serious.”

“I was informed that I am a princess,” I said evenly. “Does that not provide exemption from minor regulations like wearing this uncomfortable outfit?”

She stared at me like I had split into two different people. “Even princesses follow school rules, Electra. Now, do as I say and get dressed. We have a class to attend, and with your new reputation, it’s going to be a warzone.”

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