The World Is Mine For The Taking

Myrcella's POV

All of the current members of the student council had gathered inside the council office, the thick wooden doors now shut behind them, sealing in the warm hum of conversation and the rustling of papers.

Everyone's eyes were on me as I stood at the front, holding a clipboard filled with checklists, reminders, and notes that had only grown longer over the past few weeks.

I pointed to the various items we needed to get done this school year.

I think there were far more responsibilities than most realized.

The atmosphere was heavy with a sense of urgency, but also with a quiet kind of determination.

I could feel it in my chest that there was so much more we could do and so many things we hadn't touched yet.

Ideas rushed through my mind even as I tried to focus on the current agenda.

I kept writing down thoughts and scribbling additions in the margins of my notes, trying to make sure nothing slipped away unnoticed.

Right now, we were in full preparation mode for the upcoming Physical Examination scheduled for next month.

It wasn't just a health checkup or anything of the sort, but it was also a significant event for the academy. It had to be organized perfectly, both in structure and in spirit.

We weren't just aiming to make sure the event ran smoothly as we wanted the student body to enjoy and remember it.

Even though it was technically still an exam, we hoped to transform it into something far more engaging.

Something meaningful. Something fun.

That was why this meeting mattered so much.

The council members were energetic today.

Their voices were animated and their expressions bright.

They bounced off each other's ideas, suggesting new angles, new activities, new ways to make the event stand out.

And among them, the Vice President stood out the most.

Titania Bethlan, the Princess of the Bethlan Kingdom, was especially lively.

Her elegant posture, the gentle sway of her golden-blonde hair when she turned to speak... it was hard not to notice her.

She had a natural presence, both commanding and graceful, and she was excellent at thinking outside the box.

She pitched the idea of handing out medals and prizes to those who excelled in the exam, turning the competitive aspect into something celebratory.

But she didn't stop there as she went on to suggest that each class host its own small event on the side, like a themed booth, or even a fun café setup with students in maid uniforms.

It sounded ridiculous at first, but the more she explained it, the more everyone started nodding along. It was fresh and it was exciting.

Titania's creativity, I realized, wasn't random. It was inspired.

And the source of that inspiration... was probably her boyfriend. The person she adored more than anyone else—even, according to her own words, more than her own father.

Yes.

She loved him that much.

I found myself smiling, even if just a little.

I was honestly glad she had joined the council.

Despite our rivalry during the last election, I had always acknowledged her potential. If she had won the presidency, I wouldn't have doubted her abilities.

She had garnered a surprising amount of support and our final vote counts had only been separated by a narrow margin.

Now, having her here as my Vice President felt like an unexpected blessing.

A former rival had become a trusted ally.

"Princess Titania," I said softly. "Good job today."

We had finally finished our tasks for the day.

The budgeting was done. The framework for the Physical Examination was ready.

We had tightened our policies on sustainability and student responsibility. It had been a long day... but it was a good one.

"You too, President," she replied, flashing a warm smile.

I let out a small breath, glancing down at the final notes in my hand.

"It's been a while since I felt like I've worked this hard," I admitted. "We've made it past the halfway point of the year already. Graduation for the fourth years is just around the corner. I only wish I could do more, like convincing the academy administration to change their policies."

I looked up, eyes firm.

"To let everyone graduate as a magic knight, not just those from Gold Class."

Titania tilted her head slightly, listening with full attention.

"I'm sure you'll manage to pull it off, President," she said gently. "Even if not this year, you've still got one more shot next year."

I shook my head slowly.

"I don't think it's that simple," I replied. "Honestly, I wanted to make it happen this year, so the current fourth-years would have a chance to become magic knights too. And if I fail now, I doubt I'll be voted in again. If you ran next year, I think you'd win."

"I think you've got what it takes to be nominated again," she told me. "You've already made real changes. People see that. And you have supporters. Lots of them, in fact. Besides," she paused, smiling, "I don't plan on running again."

"Oh?" I raised a brow. "And why's that?"

"I already got what I wanted," she said softly, eyes shining. "Leon. And the other girls."

"I see…" I murmured.

She looked at me again.

"And now that you're Leon's woman too," she said with conviction, "I'll support you in any way I can."

My eyes widened slightly, then softened.

"I'm happy to hear that," I said.

The air in the office felt calm now.

Like the last breath of wind before nightfall.

"It's already getting late," I added. "Why don't we head back to the dormitory?"

With that, the two of us stepped out into the evening, leaving the student council office behind as we made our way toward the Gold Dormitory.

As Titania and I walked beneath the twilight-drenched canopy of trees lining the academy path, we saw someone standing just ahead.

A lone figure by the stone path, cast in the dim orange hue of the nearby lantern.

Someone I recognized instantly.

It was Johanne.

"Johanne?" I called out, blinking in faint surprise.

He turned smoothly toward us and offered a low, practiced bow with his right hand pressed lightly against his chest, and one foot slipping back in elegant poise.

"Ah. Hello, Princesses," he greeted. "Are the both of you heading to the dormitory now?"

His usual charm was there... but something felt… off.

There was a lilt in his voice, a slightly higher pitch than I remembered.

My brows furrowed as the sound registered fully.

"Johanne… did your voice get higher?" I asked.

He chuckled lightly, a hand rising to touch his throat.

"Ah, is that so? In truth, I've been experiencing a bit of throat trouble lately," he explained, tilting his head slightly. "So my voice might sound a little high."

It was strange.

That wasn't the voice I'd grown so used to.

Johanne's voice had always been a part of his presence. It was a low voice.

It had matured along with him, and I'd heard it enough times that it had settled into the folds of my memory.

But now… he sounded different. Slightly lighter.

Almost too delicate.

Too feminine to be a voice of a male.

And was it just me, or… had Johanne gotten shorter?

It wasn't something most would catch at a glance, but to me—who had stood beside him often—it was unmistakable.

He had always been tall.

Now, although still noticeably taller than me—heads above me even—there was something subtly off in the way he towered.

A difference that wasn't quite explainable.

Still, I told myself to let it go. Maybe I was just tired. Maybe the day's workload had left me seeing illusions in familiar things.

"Are you two going back to the dormitory?" he asked.

"Well, yes," I replied. "Are you going there as well?"

"Ah… actually, I'm waiting for someone here," Johanne said. "But… I suppose I could message him for now. I can't exactly allow two beautiful women to walk alone at this hour, can I?"

I smiled softly at that. It was classic of Johanne.

"How gentlemanly," I replied with a small tilt of my head. "But are you sure about this? Won't it look bad if you abandon your meeting like this?"

Johanne gave a small shrug, then smiled again.

"A fair point, but he mentioned he might be running late. So I figured I could at least escort the two of you before I meet him."

That smile again. There was something faintly feminine in the curve of the lips, in the flutter of the lashes—details I might not have noticed under normal circumstances

Still… I chose not to question it.

"Well, that would be a great help," I said, nodding slightly.

And so, I accepted.

***

Leon's POV

I was currently sprawled in bed with Irene, her bare body curled tightly against mine.

Her breath was soft and slow now, her head resting against my shoulder, her long dark purple hair cascading across my chest. One of her arms was draped possessively over me, while the other lay beneath her.

We'd just finished having sex.

She was snuggling close now, using my arm as a pillow, her eyes half-closed in a dreamy daze, like she was still floating somewhere between reality and bliss.

I glanced over at the digital clock glowing on the nightstand. The numbers stared back at me with dull indifference.

"Oh… yeah," I muttered to myself, rubbing the bridge of my nose with a sigh. "I forgot I was supposed to meet Johanne tonight…"

Irene had come to me earlier who was full of energy. She didn't even give me time to think before she was on top of me. I humored her, of course. How could I not?

And then, the promise I made to Johanne had completely slipped my mind.

Well, not entirely. I wasn't too late yet.

I grabbed my phone from the side table, tapped at the screen, and shot him a quick message.

Told him I'd be running a bit late.

Hopefully, he wouldn't be too annoyed.