Her view


    After her and her partner''s first day in the record room, they had managed to get to the letter g in the files before calling it a day.


    She reluctantly accepted the boy''s invitation to walk her back home. The girl watched him glance back several times as he pulled away from the doorway and disappeared from her view. She assumed he’d return the key to wherever he got it from.


    She hurried back to her room hoping to get a chance to look at her stolen files. Opening the door, she saw a familiar face waiting with an expectant expression. It was clear that reviewing anything would not be possible under Lady Beatrice''s supervision.


    “Constance?! Where were you? I haven’t seen you all day and then you come back when it’s practically dark with Oswald?! You really ought to be careful, someone like him isn’t trustworthy.”


    Elodi was standing with her arms crossed and her ash brown loosely curled hair framing her stern expression. Her olive skin was barely illuminated by the sunset, the girl had already donned a baby blue nightgown.


    So she saw us arrive at the dorms. Once again he’s set off another person somehow. I have to come up with something to cover us and tell him to watch himself later.


    “I apologize for worrying you, I wasn’t feeling well earlier so I left class early. When Oswald found out I was ill he took me out for some entertainment in the city.”


    “Hmph! What kind of person brings out a patient to such a chaotic space?! You said you met each other at the school gates and quickly became friends after that, right? It may be presumptuous of me to say but I’d wager he has other intentions in befriending you.”


    She sure has a wild imagination. It would be fun to give her a bit of fuel but that might impact ”Oswald”.


    Elodi helped Constance to her bed and sat alongside her watching her face for an explanation.


    “I’m sure he has no negative intent.” Constance decided she would have to wait until Elodi was sleeping so she could hide away the files.


    Since I can’t read the folders I might as well get started on the student council front.


    “Speaking of meeting new acquaintances, is your previous invitation to observe your club''s activities still available?” Constance had not taken off her shoes and sat cross-legged on the plump bedding.


    “Are you interested? I thought Oswald mentioned too many people and a busy setting like that could be too taxing on your health. Then again, who would know better than you after all? Well, I’m not sure our next meeting would be very entertaining for you, we’re supposed to interview a few of the student council members again. As if we have not done enough stories on them already.” Elodi’s frustration was clear and Constance could sympathize with her being given a trivial job.


    It’s unfortunate for little lady Beatrice, but lucky for me the school''s newspaper is known for its unoriginal reporting.


    “Ah, I see, I was hoping to gain some insight into the newspaper interviewing process but if you don’t think it’s suitable for me to join.” Avoiding eye contact, she displayed her “disappointment” in her comments and twiddled her fingers restlessly.


    Flustered, Elodi tried her best to comfort Constance, “What? No… I mean that isn’t what I meant at all! I simply thought you wouldn’t find it enjoyable but I probably misjudged how exhausting it usually is for you to be trapped inside all day.”


    Easily swayed and kind almost to a fault. Other than her odd distaste for Oswald, Elodi truly lived up to her reputation of being “beautiful inside and out”. Whether she realized this praise existed was debatable since she was seemingly oblivious to other people’s admiration. When her illness wasn’t considered, people generally had positive things to say about the character of Constance as well.


    The difference is that Constance is the image I’ve created and has no relation to my real identity.


    “No it’s alright Lady Elodi, if you need any assistance I’ll be sure to help out. Of course, I understand if my current state wouldn’t be suitable as well.” Her meek smile seemed to glide out smoothly gaining an even more sympathetic expression from her roommate.


    After a few moments, Lady Beatrice fixed her expression to be a bit more authoritative. “Ahem, it’s settled, you will be my assistant interviewer for next week''s meeting!”


    <i>Gotcha. </i>


    "Really?!"After thanking her profusely, the two conversed about classes, campus, etc., and by the end, the darkness had consumed the room leaving a single lamp. Eventually, the lamp also lost its fight to the power of the night and the two girls settled into their respective beds.


    She spent most of her time the next few days in the records room with her partner. The task of copying information was quite frankly, boring. By the start of the new week, she was completely annoyed.


    It didn’t help that her partner seemed to be preoccupied with whatever delusion he had concocted about her this time.


    “So it’s his appearance, you’re attracted to his clean appearance? I don’t think he’s too special and for you he hardly…” She watched as his monotone voice trailed off.


    She couldn’t even roll her eyes at his completely off-base examination. While he seemed to believe she’d been overcome with infatuation for Arthur Damien just because she had made a quick comment. Her real interest lay in his photograph, or rather the badge on his uniform in his image. You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story.


    The special label was partly blurry in Belladonna Winthrop’s image but Damien’s photograph revealed a student council symbol.


    At the time she’d thought:


    If I happen to run into the elusive, letter-sending, cousin of Constance through a student council meeting it will seem fairly natural and I can finally get intel on the Winthrop family through her.


    Of course, her associate, a paradoxical character who looked emotionless but was highly sentimental towards certain things, would fret about her “focus” on Damien. This misunderstanding did distract him from seeing her true goal of solving the case, but his worry and curiosity over the matter were also tiresome.


    She replied bleakly “Yes, I suppose attractive is another way to say he looks quite put together.”


    If he was any less neat I wouldn’t have been able to decipher the club insignia he and Belladonna shared.


    “Where my interest lies is hardly the most important thing right now. We’re onto the T files so, if you don’t hope to be stuck on writing duty another week, you’d better get your head on straight.” She eyed his writing callus with discontent.


    A wave of some emotion flashed over her partner''s face causing her to squint and cock her head in confusion. To her, it seemed as if his words were overflowing with little control.


    “No, I think this is entirely as important! Well… what I mean is what is it about him that you haven’t seen before? If it has nothing to do with the mission then isn’t it simply a distraction?! I’m sure that there has to be something behind your attention on him unless you are secretly content to take on this new life!” She sighed and watched his eyes give away his fear and irritation.


    I’m starting to feel a bit bad about lying but I’d rather not get him involved. At least one of us should remain focused on following the rules. Besides that, if things get…  complicated he should be able to escape on his own.


    “Don’t worry about things that don’t concern Oswald. Unless, don’t tell me? Ah, I see so you’re hoping to be here with me for-EVER.” She smirked knowing her provocation would work just the way she hoped.


    “You- !” His eyes shyed from her view.


    "That isn’t what I said at all. Always acting so casual as if everything is some comedic theatre performance.” She ignored his grumbling and watched him grip the pen tighter, his veins swelling again when he began writing.


    What kind of reaction is that? Is he angry or just motivated to finish? He never fails to entertain me though.


    Hours later, the two had finally completed the work. They had finished just in time to catch dinner in the dining hall. The large arches framing it and luxury tables practically beckoned for anyone to pay attention. The red velvet-lined chairs and spotless parquet floors certainly took time to adjust to when compared to the warm, full, and simple SHOP eating area. The carefully adorned chandeliers lit everything up but it was still empty. Many of the nobles had private chefs or little obligation to eat in the designated room.


    Despite their earlier scuffle, Oswald still made sure to clear off a chair and practically usher her into it. He then took his seat next to her as they joined their roommates who had already been occupying the space.


    “You two are just odd. Taking long walks together in secret and only returning after hours have passed, would make anyone think you’re involved in a certain type of way.” Constance watched her roommate''s eyes narrow at Oswald as she said this. Her position opposite him at the table made her feelings even more apparent.


    “Lady Beatrice, give it rest for once. Considering all he does is quietly follow Constance around, I’d say they seem more like master and some kind of servant or bodyguard.” Across from Constance, Aslow D. seemed very uninterested in this situation which must’ve meant he didn’t deem it worthy of gossip.


    Oswald responded with a stone-cold expression, “We have a completely normal friendship.”


    If I could slap him on the back of the head I would. He really thinks a response like that makes things any less suspicious. Especially since his blunt way of talking only upsets Elodi further. I suppose I’ll have to diffuse things.


    Looking at the two friends, she smiled and chuckled softly. “You have some interesting ideas, but those stories are rather… far-fetched. After all, I often spend long periods with you Elodi, and if spending time alone was indicative of that sort of relationship then I believe you and Aslow D. would have something to explain as well. After all, you do spend time together alone when we aren’t around, don’t you?”


    Elodi seemed stunned for a bit, and Constance adjusted her napkin on her lap. She relinquished her plate to Oswald in silence while keeping her gaze on the girl across from her.


    Frowning Elodi murmured, “That is true but…”


    Before she could finish her unsure thoughts, Constance interjected, “Speaking of stories, the interviews for the written column in the newspaper are this Wednesday, correct?”


    Lady Beatrice lit up, “Oh, that’s right! The student council members will be excited to have a new visitor for their interview!”


    “Really… I hope so.” She began showcasing her meek expression.


    I just hope they won’t be too distracting to me while I’m finding “my” cousin Bellatrix.


    Screeech!


    She and the two others at the table turned their focus to the source of the ear-splitting sound. The culprit was none other than Oswald who was trying hard to pretend he hadn’t just scratched up the plate of steak he’d been cutting for her.


    Looking down at his task he said, “So you''re going to the student council meeting? I wasn’t aware. For that- I mean for what reason?”


    In front of these two, she was the weak and shy Constance who did not need to respond in every conversation. Instead of acknowledging him she simply watched as his knife slid through the steak finishing it off to reveal the blood-rare interior. The plate was then set in front of her along with his inquiry.


    “Seriously, I don’t know how you deal with him, Constance.” Turning to face Oswald, Elodi continued in a huff.


    “What’s it to you whether she goes or not?”


    Constance took her fork with a shaky hand and pricked her food lifting it daintily.


    “I’m just curious about this sudden decision. That kind of setting isn’t exactly one fit for fragile individuals.”


    Fragile? He’s committed to the act. I almost laughed.


    She glanced up to meet his eyes bearing into her before smirking just enough that he would notice.


    Ooh, that glare is going to backfire on him.


    Swallowing her small bite she wiped her mouth and neatly placed her napkin back in its place.


    “Oh dear, it almost seems as if I’ve done something wrong. I’m sure Lady Beatrice will make sure I’m not uncomfortable. Is it not acceptable for me to attend?”


    “Hah! You just want to know more about her, is that so? You may want to review your actions beforehand because if anything you''re the one who should be looked into. Who are you to say I''m unsafe when if anything that scary scowl of yours will knock out Constance long before one club meeting will?


    “I don’t know about her, but your ladyship Bellowdi would certainly be an easy target to stun.”


    Almost knocking her chair back, Elodi stood up the table shaking in her wake. “What did you call me?!” Sitting back down she crossed her arms at Oswald.


    “Ugh, well don’t expect an invitation to come with us then. Look! Just look at him! As soon as someone else starts talking other than Constance he suddenly has no expression, it’s like I’m talking to a rock!”


    Needless to say, Constance had dinner and a show that night, and she could only assume Oswald''s worries were not relieved by her roommate''s lecture. The interview and more importantly her chance for clues was now one day away.