Elysium: Desired by the Cold-hearted Princess [GL]-Chapter 31: You have to say no

Seraphina's Pov

As I forced my eyes open, a sharp, blinding pain shot through my head, making it feel as if my skull was on the verge of splitting open.

I winced, bringing my hand up instinctively to my forehead, trying to calm the pounding that ran through my temples. It was a struggle, but I blinked a few times, trying to make sense of my surroundings, and the white walls and faint smell of antiseptic were enough for me to piece together that I was in the school infirmary.

I took a deep, shaky breath and turned my head, only to see Yuna sitting next to the bed, her head resting on the edge, and hair spilling over her arm in its usual chaotic mess. The sight of her brought a feeling of relief that settled over my initial panic, and memories of what had happened came rushing back.

The assembly, the suffocating heat of the auditorium, Principal Astor's boring voice, and then... Electra. I remembered the moment my name fell from her lips and how it had been so unexpected that my dizziness worsened, and everything became a blur before I hit the floor.

I shifted slightly, grimacing at the pain in my head, and croaked out, "Yuna?" My voice was weak and hoarse and barely audible, but it was enough.

Yuna stirred, lifting her head with a start, eyes wide with concern as they locked on mine.

"Oh my god, Sera! You're awake!" her voice was a mix of relief and worry as she bombarded me with questions. "Are you okay? Does your head hurt? Do you need me to call the nurse? Should I get water?"

I managed a small smile and raised my hand, though it felt like lifting a ton of bricks. "I'm... I'm okay, Yuna. Just... help me sit up."

The words were a struggle, with each one scratching at my throat.

Yuna frowned, her brow creasing deeply. "Are you sure? You should probably stay lying down. I can call the nurse to make sure everything's okay."

Before I could insist, a voice I recognized all too well came out of nowhere, catching me completely off guard. "Listen to your friend, Seraphina. It's probably wise."

My breath hitched in my throat, and I turned my head sharply, ignoring the sharp pain that followed. There, sitting casually on the bed across from mine, arms crossed and an unreadable expression on her face, was Electra.

Her golden hair was now in a ponytail, and her eyes held that familiar icy glint that sent shivers down my spine.

"E-Electra?" The disbelief in my voice was evident, and I glanced at Yuna, searching her face for answers, but she seemed as bewildered as I felt.

What was Electra doing here in the infirmary? Was she waiting for me?

"Why are you here?" I managed, my voice a little sharper than I intended.

The last thing I wanted was to appear flustered, but it was impossible not to be caught off guard. Electra of all people, here in the infirmary—had she really been waiting for me to wake up?

Electra pushed herself off the bed and stood with an elegance that seemed almost otherworldly. Her arms remained folded as she took a step closer, her gaze never leaving mine.

"I thought it might be my fault you fainted," she said, tilting her head slightly. Her tone was light, almost teasing, as if the whole situation amused her. "Did I shock you that much by calling your name?"

Her words sent a flush of embarrassment and confusion through me. I felt Yuna shift beside me, her hand hovering uncertainly near my arm, as if she were debating whether to intervene or stay silent.

I swallowed hard, the lump in my throat making it difficult. "Why did you choose me?" I blurted out, my voice shaking.

I had so many questions, but that was the one that clawed its way out first. I needed to know why, out of all the students in Elysium, she had called my name, especially when she knew for a fact that I knew nothing about enchanted archery.

Her expression remained neutral, but a hint of a smile tugged at the corner of her lips. "Because I wanted to," she said simply, as if that explained everything.

When I didn't respond, she raised an eyebrow. "And because I don't like doing the expected. I thought it was time for a change, and choosing a new girl seems like a very interesting change, don't you agree?"

Yuna's eyes darted between Electra and me, and even without having her speak, I could tell that she was extremely uncomfortable with having Electra in the room. "Sera, maybe you should rest first and talk about this later," she suggested, her voice tight with unease.

"Listen to your friend, Seraphina," Electra responded. "Stop asking questions about things you can figure out later."

Her tone left no room for argument, and before I could muster a response or even try to tell her that I had never wanted to be on any team, she added, "I already confirmed with the nurse that I'm not the reason you fainted, so I'll be going now. Recover quickly—training starts soon."

With that, she turned on her heel and walked out of the room, her presence lingering long after the door clicked shut behind her, and I watched her go, the protest dying in my throat.

A low groan escaped me, and I turned my attention to Yuna, who had an expression of worry and disgust, and she shivered slightly as she muttered, "I really can't stand her."

I blinked, still processing everything, before managing to ask, "Yuna, is there a way I can get out of this? I mean, I don't know the first thing about archery. I've never even held a bow in my life."

Yuna's eyes met mine, and for a moment, her frown deepened. "I'd like to think Electra already knows that," she said. "She doesn't do things without a reason, Sera. Maybe she picked you just to embarrass you or for some twisted reason we can't even guess. I don't trust her, not for a second."

My stomach sank. I was already wondering how I would deal with the aftermath of fainting in front of the entire school, and the thought of standing in front of everyone again, this time with a bow and arrows, made my hands clammy.

"But... there has to be a way out of this," I whispered, more to myself than to Yuna.

Then Yuna leaned forward, lowering her voice. "How good are you at saying no, Seraphina?"

I frowned at her, confusion knotting my brows. "What do you mean? Why are you asking me that?"

Yuna sighed, leaning back in her chair. "Because, Sera, the only way you're going to get out of this is if you stand your ground and say no—defiantly and repeatedly. If you waver, even for a moment, Electra will have you where she wants you, and once she gets you to take that first step, you'll have no choice but to accept that you're now part of her team."