Bride of the Serpent King-Chapter 16: Zaiyila anger

The morning class was over, and it was already break time. Zaiyila sighed, wondering what to eat when a cold-looking man walked in with a lunch bag in hand. He approached her and handed her the box.

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"This is your lunch, Your Highness!" he announced with a bow before leaving.

Zaiyila was dumbfounded and pressed her lips together. "Eve," she murmured, rubbing her forehead, knowing this was his handiwork. She couldn't help but feel warm inside.

She carefully opened the box, revealing another box inside. When she opened it, fresh, steaming food was neatly arranged. "The temperature is still high; it was just made," she whispered and smiled. "You're really serious about this rule." She prepared her spoon, feeling extremely happy inside.

Just as she was about to put the spoon of food in her mouth, she realized she was still wearing her mask. She rubbed her forehead and was about to remove it when someone suddenly sat beside her, stunning her. She turned to look and found a beautiful girl with bright, big black eyes and long brown hair.

The girl was smiling sweetly, her expression friendly.

"Hi, I'm Elizabeth. Nice to meet you, Zaiyila," she introduced herself, stretching out her hand for a handshake.

Zaiyila's smile reflected in her eyes as she shook her hand in a friendly manner. "Hello, Elizabeth."

"Just call me Lizzy. Can I call you Aiyi?"

"Sure," Zaiyila responded with another smile.

Elizabeth beamed warmly. "Aiyi, you seem to come from a wealthy family. Can you tell me which family you belong to? You can hint at your surname," she inquired.

"Um..." Zaiyila hesitated, a conflicted look crossing her face.

"Ah, it's fine. I just hope we can be best friends," Elizabeth remarked, holding Zaiyila's hand.

Zaiyila nodded. "Thank you."

"Lizzy! Why are you associating with someone of unknown background? Just because she has a bodyguard and eats good food doesn't mean she comes from a good family. Look at her—covering her face even in this heat! No doubt she hides an unimaginable ugly face under that mask!" a female student sneered arrogantly as she approached, giving Zaiyila a belittling glance.

Zaiyila looked at the girl before lowering her head.

"Shut your mouth, Ferina, and get lost if you can't say anything decent!" Elizabeth snapped angrily.

The girl, named Ferina, smirked coldly at Elizabeth's reprimand. "This is how you get tricked. You approach newcomers with good intentions, but once they know your identity, they try to drain your money. I'm sure she's no exception," she scoffed.

Elizabeth slammed the table and stood up. "Insulting others? Aren't you the same? I can't even count the amount of money you've withdrawn from me all this while!" she retorted coldly.

Ferina's eyes widened but were quickly replaced with a smug smile. "I'm the only friend who loves you. You can't turn against me like this because of some lowly newcomer trying to show off the little she has," she sneered, her gaze falling on Zaiyila's open food.

Elizabeth clenched her fists tightly before turning to Zaiyila with an apologetic expression. "Please, Aiyi, don't be upset," she pleaded.

Zaiyila shook her head but remained silent.

"Yo, the ugly new classmate is sad now! Looks like Ferina hit the spot. She's a fake! Haha!" someone among the students shouted, causing laughter to erupt around them.

Ferina, satisfied by the students' negative comments, smirked as her eyes lingered on Zaiyila's tempting meal. Then, suddenly—

Clang!

Clang!

Ferina flung Zaiyila's food away with the back of her hand, causing it to spill messily onto the ground.

"Ferina!" Elizabeth shouted.

Zaiyila's eyes followed as the food scattered. For a very brief moment, her eyes flashed crimson before quickly returning to their normal black hue. She slammed her hand on the table and stood up, her gaze turning icy. A deadly aura radiated from her, leaving everyone speechless and afraid.

"You just threw my food away," she stated in a low voice, carrying an undeniable authority.

The statement seemed to strike Ferina's heart like an attack, causing her to stumble backward before catching herself, clutching her chest.

She stared at Zaiyila in horror for a moment before forcing a laugh. "Now you're sad? Did you pour your life savings into buying that food just for a good image? Now that it's gone, you feel miserable? Huh?" she mocked.

Zaiyila clenched her fists tightly and took a step toward Ferina, her eyes flashing red once again. She was about to act when Miss Girlin entered the room.

"Zaiyila!" she called softly and immediately rushed to her side.

Zaiyila cast a murderous glare at Miss Girlin, scaring the hell out of her, her eyes transforming into a deep, bloody crimson. "You want to stop me?" Though she didn't speak, the message was clear in her gaze.

"I dare not, my..." Miss Girlin faltered before realizing they were still in public. "Goodness, the Queen is losing it. If the King finds out..." she thought, forcing a smile. "Mr. Everett actually sent you a message," she informed, smiling warmly.

Instantly, Zaiyila's eyes returned to normal, and the dark, ominous aura surrounding her vanished. Her expression shifted to one of happiness.

"Where is he?" she asked eagerly, glancing toward the entrance.

"Err, I said he sent a message. He didn't come in person," Miss Girlin clarified. Before Zaiyila could feel disappointed, she quickly added, "Actually, he instructed us to arrange the school's VIP restaurant for you, so you won't have to eat at the same table as commoners. I'm here to escort you."

Zaiyila looked at the spilled food with a sad expression. "There's no need, my..." Before she could finish, the same guard who had delivered her food earlier entered again, carrying an identical lunch box.

"Your Highness, the earlier food is already thirty minutes late. Please switch," he urged, bowing respectfully.

"Woah!" The entire class erupted in shock, their gazes now filled with admiration as they looked at Zaiyila as if she were a goddess.

Zaiyila took the box. "Thank you," she smiled, but before she could finish her gratitude, the man had already disappeared, unwilling to accept her thanks.

"My... um... Zaiyila, let's go to the VIP restaurant so you can eat in peace," Miss Girlin suggested.

Zaiyila nodded before glancing at Elizabeth's who has a sour expression on her face. "Miss Girlin, can I bring a friend with me?" she inquired.

Miss Girlin looked at Elizabeth and smiled. "As you please."

Zaiyila took Elizabeth's hand and led her away.

Once they were at a distance, Miss Girlin's eyes turned cold, and without warning, she delivered a thunderous slap to Ferina, making her head spin and causing her to lose her balance immediately.