Christina August moved with a grace and confidence that drew the eyes of everyone around her, men and women alike. Her blonde hair shimmered in the sunlight, and her sharp blue eyes captivated anyone fortunate enough to catch her gaze.
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She was the queen—the undisputed ruler of Oakbury, and she carried herself with a pride that left no doubt in anyone's mind. Those who crossed her path knew who she was and what she represented.
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As Christina strolled through the campus grounds—her kingdom, Oakbury University—she became the center of attention the moment her heels clicked against the stone pavement. And she wouldn't have it any other way.
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The whispers followed her: women who wished they could be her, men who wished they could be with her. But all those murmurs faded into the background as her gaze zeroed in on one person who stood out from the crowd.
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"Tristan Alderman," Christina whispered to herself, her lips curling into a sly smile as her eyes locked onto him. He was one of the most enigmatic figures in Oakbury, surrounded by almost as many rumors and tales as her own illustrious family.
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With every step she took toward him, her feelings swirled in a mix of excitement and frustration. Unlike the many who fawned over her, Tristan was the one person who had never shown any interest, never succumbed to her wealth or charm. And that only made her desire him more.
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As she drew closer, Tristan finally noticed her approach. She caught the moment his eyes widened, the surprise quickly morphing into shock, and then unmistakable fear. Her smirk deepened. There was something intoxicating about seeing the usually composed Tristan rattled by her presence.
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Christina was all too familiar with that look—one she could elicit from almost anyone, especially when she was angry. But with Tristan, she knew it wasn't fear. Christina could tell by the way he carried himself. He wasn't afraid, just uncomfortable, and that only made her want to mess with him more.
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"Tristan, darling," she greeted him with a smile that had just a hint of mischief.
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"Hey, Christina," Tristan replied with a small wave, his unease clear.
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"Hey?" Christina echoed, her tone turning serious as she placed her hands on her hips. "Is that all you have to say to me?"
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Tristan took a step back as Christina leaned forward. "Um..."
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"You missed another one of my glorious parties!" Christina exclaimed. "Tell me, Tristan, how long will my home continue to be a stranger to you, hmm?"
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Loraura slightly bowed her head. "How do you do?" she said with a smile. "My name is Loraura."
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"Loraura?" Christina repeated, her eyebrows arching slightly. "That's a unique name."
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"She's from out of town," Tristan quickly added, hoping to smooth things over.
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"Is that right?" Christina smiled, sensing that Tristan was keeping something from her.
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Tristan nodded, perhaps a bit too eagerly.
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"Well, so be it... My name is Christina August, heir to the vast August family," Christina said, her voice dripping with pride.
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"I see," Loraura responded with a polite nod.
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"I probably don't have to tell you who we are, but my family is one of the five founders of this town," Christina continued, expecting a reaction.
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"How nice," Loraura simply replied.
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Christina's irritation grew as she noticed Loraura's lack of surprise or reverence. It was unusual for someone to remain so unimpressed by the weight of her name.
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"Our influence doesn't just cover this town, however," Christina pressed on, "My father is the owner and CEO of many businesses that span across the country."
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Loraura smiled again. "Mm-hmm."
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"What do you mean, 'mm-hmm'?!" Christina burst out, surprised by the nonchalant response.
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Loraura kept her calm smile, offering no further explanation, which only deepened Christina's frustration.
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"What's with this girl?" Christina thought to herself, bewildered. "I'm not getting any kind of read off her at all."
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Christina shook her head slightly, sighing. "I think I have a headache."
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Tristan, who had been nervously laughing, quickly straightened up as Christina turned her attention back to him. "My birthday is coming up. I'll be throwing another party, and I expect your attendance," she said, her tone leaving no room for excuses.
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"Uh, yes, I'll be there," Tristan replied hastily, nodding more than necessary.
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Christina then shifted her gaze to Loraura. "Loraura, was it? It was a pleasure," she said with a small, knowing grin.
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"The pleasure was all mine," Loraura responded politely, her tone calm and composed.
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As Christina walked away, her presence still commanding the attention of everyone around, Tristan let out a long breath, placing his hands on his knees as if he'd just run a marathon. "Damn, I thought my heart was going to explode," he muttered, taking deep breaths to steady himself.
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Loraura looked at him curiously. "She seems to desire your company," she observed.
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Tristan glanced back at Loraura, a mix of frustration and amusement on his face. "Yeah, well, I've found it's usually better to stay away from people with a lot of money," he said, his voice tinged with a hint of bitterness. "But I guess she is a good person at heart," he added with a smirk, trying to convince himself as much as Loraura.
***
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In the divine lands, a place untouched by time, where white buildings glistened like polished marble under the eternal sunlight, and white clouds embraced the earth like a soft, endless blanket, there was an unparalleled beauty. Floating towers with golden spires drifted gracefully among the clouds, their reflections shimmering in the lakes below. Great lush forests, with trees that seemed to reach the heavens, stood proudly amidst the cloudy fields, their leaves glowing with a faint, ethereal light.
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Inside one of the grandest towers, in a room bathed in a soft, golden glow, Vyra, a silver-haired goddess with rich brown skin, paced angrily. Her long, silver hair flowed behind her like a cape, shimmering as she moved. "Pina, what do you mean my sister isn't back yet?" she demanded, her voice echoing through the marble halls.
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Pina, a smaller goddess with golden curls and a sharp tongue, rolled her eyes. "It is just as I said, Loraura hasn't returned yet, Vyra," she replied, not bothering to hide the attitude in her voice.
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Vyra frowned, her frustration evident as she stroked her long, silver hair. "It's never taken her this long to grant a mortal's wish... what could be taking her?"
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Pina glanced down at a white, almost transparent device in her hand, which displayed various reports from across the realms. "Well, according to the report, it seems Loraura made a long-term contract," she said, her voice tinged with mild surprise.
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Vyra's eyes widened, her frown deepening into anger. "What? Why in the world would Loraura make a contract with a mortal? She knows how serious that is..." Her voice trailed off as she began to pace again, her mind racing.
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Pina shrugged, her expression unbothered. "Well, you know your sister. She must have her reasons."
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Vyra said nothing in response, her jaw tightening as she turned and walked out of the white room, her heels clicking sharply against the marble floor. Pina watched her go, letting out a long sigh. "Uh oh... I know that look on her face."
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Vyra walked down a long corridor lined with tall, arched windows that overlooked the divine landscape, her expression resolute. As she reached the end of the corridor, she paused, a determined smile spreading across her face. "I guess I have no choice," she murmured to herself. "I'm going to have to go and get her myself."
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With a final glance out at the divine lands, Vyra's smile widened. "Tristan Cunningham, huh?"
***
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Author notes: Please support my work on Patreon for early access to new chapters. https://patreon.com/DarkMatteromniverse147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkB2jEPaMnh
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