Elysium: Desired by the Cold-hearted Princess [GL]-Chapter 311: Wrong Focus

Electra’s POV

I stood in front of my bathroom mirror, staring into my own reflection, or rather, staring into E’s reflection because that was who was looking back at me now, clear as day, with that same infuriating smirk and her eyes glittering with that damn arrogance that I had unfortunately gotten used to.

E let out a long, dramatic sigh, folding her arms across her chest like she was tired of Electra’s stupidity. "Do you really think the tournament is going to be about who’s the best at shooting a couple of arrows?" she asked, her tone dripping with sarcasm.

I rolled my eyes so hard I thought they might get stuck. "Listen E, I already know my mother is going to try something," I snapped. "She’s a snake, it’s basically her whole personality, but when I thought about it again, I realized that even she wouldn’t be stupid enough to try to kill me in front of thousands of people. There’s a limit to how shameless she is, even if she pretends there isn’t. She’s going to try to cheat, but she won’t harm me, so I just need to worry about making sure whatever she has planned doesn’t work."

E scoffed. "Oh, please. I’m not talking about your mother, or whoever that person is. I’m talking about that girl, Iris. The one who’s like... us, and the one I’ve said again and again we need to kill."

I frowned. "Really? Are we really still talking about killing Iris?"

E nodded. "Yes, genius, I’m still talking about killing the other phoenix, the one who’s been glaring at you from across every hallway like she wants to rip your throat out, which I’m certain she wants to."

I waved a hand dismissively. "Well, she hates me. Big deal. Who doesn’t hate me these days? I can’t afford to worry about her right now, E. I have bigger fish to fry, and I am not killing anyone, except, of course, if they mess up this tournament for me."

E glared. "You’re missing the point. You really think she’s just going to stand back and let you have your glorious little moment at the tournament? You think she’s going to play fair? You should be more afraid of her than that useless human you call your mother."

I scoffed again, feeling my irritation spike. "She’d be an idiot if she tried anything in public," I said. "I’m a royal, remember? There are guards, there’s security, and she would be risking exposing herself if she tried anything with me. I’m pretty sure she’s not stupid, E."

E’s expression darkened. "You’re underestimating her," she hissed. "She wants us dead, Electra. You might not understand that, but I do. If I’m correct, she’s exactly like me, and we—" she gestured vaguely at her own reflection "—can be very unscrupulous."

I snorted. "Well, good for you, but I’m not going to get distracted worrying about Iris. I have one focus right now, and it isn’t that psycho alien. It’s Hunter Vale. In three days, I’m going to publicly humiliate him. I’m going to show everyone—everyone—why I’m the crown princess and why they should never have doubted me. That’s all I care about."

E rolled her eyes so hard it was almost comical. "You are so stubborn," she muttered. "You know that, right?"

"Look who’s talking," I shot back, smirking.

She actually looked slightly pleased at that, which just annoyed me more.

"Listen," E said, her tone suddenly serious. "You can focus on beating that pathetic little prince. Fine, but you need to be ready. Iris isn’t going to wait politely in the shadows. She’s planning something, I can feel it."

I sighed, rubbing my temples. "Fine. I’ll... keep one eye open for Iris, okay? Happy?"

E tilted her head. "And the other eye?"

I smirked. "The other eye is focused on winning because that’s the only thing that matters."

E muttered something under her breath that sounded suspiciously like "arrogant brat," but I ignored her, turning away from the mirror. I wasn’t going to let Iris, or E’s paranoia, or even my mother distract me.

Hunter was going to fall, and I was going to be the one to make it happen. That was all that mattered.

I took a deep breath and walked out of the bathroom, shutting the door behind me. I was still thinking about my conversation with E and trying to shove the anxiety away to focus on the tournament, but the second I glanced at my bed, I stopped in my tracks.

Seraphina was sitting there, hunched over slightly, staring down at her hands. I blinked, surprised. "When did you come in?" I asked, my voice a little sharper than I meant it to be.

Seraphina jerked slightly, looking up at me like she’d only just realized I was there. Her eyes were tired and worried. "I only just came in," she said softly.

I frowned. Something felt off immediately. Seraphina wasn’t exactly sunshine and rainbows most days, but the way she was sitting there, the tension in her shoulders, and the haunted look in her eyes... it made something in my chest twist.

"Are you okay?" I asked, walking closer to her. "Why do you look so... nervous? Midterms are done, aren’t they? Don’t tell me you’re still freaking out over them."

Seraphina let out a soft, shaky sigh, still not meeting my eyes. "I... I have something to tell you," she said finally. "But you have to promise you won’t get upset with me for not telling you sooner."

My frown deepened. "What are you talking about?" I said. "You’re scaring me. What happened?"

There was a long silence, and I could practically hear my own heart thudding in my chest. Finally, Seraphina looked up at me, her eyes glistening.

"A few days ago," she whispered, "Queen Jella was in Elysium, and she... she summoned me."

I froze. My entire body went cold. "What?" I hissed. "Why the hell would that witch want anything to do with you?"

Seraphina let out another sigh, her voice trembling. "She... she basically threatened to tell my king that we were together. That I was—" she swallowed hard, "—that I was sleeping with another kingdom’s princess while being engaged to his son."

I felt my jaw clench so hard it hurt. My blood boiled. "She threatened you?" I spat. "That bitch—"

Seraphina held up a hand quickly, shaking her head. "That’s not... that’s not what’s bothering me right now," she said quietly.

I blinked, still fuming. "Then what is it?" I demanded. "What the hell did she do? Tell me, Seraphina."

She took a shaky breath. "I think... I think she’s going to try to kill you at the tournament."

The words sank into me. "What?" I whispered.

Seraphina nodded slowly, tears brimming in her eyes. "She said she would, even though she didn’t say how," she whispered, "but... the way she talked, and the way she looked at me... Electra, I’m scared. I think she’s planning something, and I’m very sure that it involves killing you."