The marble corridors of the Aurevane Royal Academy were unusually quiet between lessons.
Sunlight streamed through the enormous stained-glass windows, casting jewel-colored patterns across the polished floor. Portraits of Elarionne's greatest kings and noble families lined the walls, silently watching generations of aristocrats pass beneath them.
Then came the sound of a sharp impact. THUD.
Lisbet Ashdown's back struck the stone wall. The blonde girl gasped, her carefully braided bun slightly coming loose as she stared fearfully at the woman towering over her.
Perpetua Vane had one hand gripping the front of Lisbet's uniform. Her long ginger hair fell over her shoulders like a curtain of fire.
"How many times do I have to tell you?"
Perpetua hissed.
Lisbet swallowed.
"I-I didn't mean to—"
"You didn't mean to what?"
Perpetua shoved her against the wall again. THUD.
A few students farther down the square glanced over before quickly looking away.
Nobody wanted to involve themselves with a Vane.
"You lesser House girls really do think you're important just because you were given a seat here,"
Perpetua sneered.
"Did you actually believe you could speak to me like that?"
"I was only answering your question..."
"Excuses."
A few meters away, Mireille Avenelle stood frozen. Her lavender hair fell over one shoulder as her eyes widened at the scene.
"Perpetua..."
she whispered.
Perpetua didn't even look at her.
"Stay out of this, Mireille."
Mireille's lips parted, but no words came. And then— Perpetua's eyes shifted.
She noticed you. You had just turned into the corridor.
For a moment, nobody moved. Lisbet looked toward you. Her frightened expression said enough.
Perpetua's grip remained firmly against Lisbet's uniform as she stared at you, seemingly daring you to say something.
Mireille looked between you and Perpetua, clearly unsure whether you would intervene. The corridor suddenly felt very, very quiet.
What do you do?