Chapter 152: He's Mine?
[Amyra's POV]
I glared at the annoying pest who had decided to ruin my dinner date with Alden.
Her smile faltered, but she tried to smile again.
That smile looked fake and overly sweet.
I wanted to rip it off her face.
No, Amyra. Breathe.
You're not that person anymore.
You're better now.
You're friends with Alden. You promised yourself you'd change.
No more manipulation. No more violence. Just... honest effort.
Right?
Still, that annoying pest had the audacity to follow us and ruin what should've been my dinner with Alden.
What the hell is her problem?
Always interrupting.
Always trying to steal my Alden.
I really, really want to kill her.
But I can't do it.
And even if I could, I won't. That's not how I win him.
We soon reached the restaurant.
It was small and quiet, and most importantly the scenery was beautiful.
We walked towards a table just beside a window.
Alden took a seat by the window.
I moved quickly, slipping into the seat beside him.
No way was I letting Nyx steal that spot.
She looked at me then. With that pitiful expression.
Pity?
Is she mocking me?
Why would she—
Oh.
She sat directly across from him.
Damn it.
Why didn't I think of that? From that angle, she could stare right at his face the whole time.
Is that why she looked at me like that?
As if I was… stupid?
As if she were saying, "I win."
I clenched my fists under the table.
She thinks she's clever?
She thinks she can take him from me?
I clenched my fists under the table.
I've read about this kind of situation.
The new book which I started reading recently, "How to Win Your Crush", mentioned it clearly: if your crush is handsome, rivals are inevitable.
I was curious about that part, so I even messaged the author.
Obviously from my fake identity.
The author's pen name was "Crusher" or something similar.
When I told them about my concern, they even warned against the impulse to eliminate them.
They said, "Don't lash out. Don't get violent. Just show your genuine love."
Right. Genuine love.
That's what I'm doing and the reason I haven't dragged her out by the hair and left her in a ditch.
I'll win Alden's heart fairly. I'll make him see who truly cares for him.
And when he finally looks at me—not just sees me, but really looks at me—I'll know it was all worth it.
Even if I have to smile while my rival sits across from us, pretending she belongs.
A waiter soon arrived to take our orders. I just ordered my regular meal.
Nyx copied me, but I ignored her.
I just tried to initiate conversation with Alden.
I didn't know what to ask. I had millions of things to say to him, but I didn't know how to put them into words.
So I asked the most generic thing.
"Do you cook for yourself?"
I paused for a moment.
What if he misunderstands me?
I tried to clarify quickly.
"I mean, I don't really see you in the cafeteria."
His answer was something I already knew.
"I cook for myself most of the time," Alden replied. "Stuff at the cafeteria's… edible, but I don't really like it."
My focus was on his face.
How cute.
Just then that annoying pest interfered.
"Isn't it dangerous to cook alone in a dorm room? What if you accidentally burn the place down?"
What the hell is she saying?
Is she cursing my Alden?
How dare she do that?
Alden just replied normally.
Still, I didn't forget to glare at her in annoyance.
After that, again and again, every time I tried to talk, she interrupted.
At one time she even had the audacity to say Alden had a "weak constitution".
You little—
As time passed by, I started getting annoyed at her.
I breathed deep. Tried to calm down. But it was no use.
Eventually, I brought up dessert. I knew Alden liked sweet things. Just needed a soft opening.
"Um, Alden–do you perhaps like desserts?"
But just before Alden could respond, Nyx interfered.
"People who like sweet things are often hiding bitterness in their lives."
This… this witch.
Just die… die... die... already.
I didn't even feel this emotion in front of the strongest enemies I have faced.
But somehow… this girl, this pathetic, insignificant girl… made me feel helpless.
I blinked back the sting in my eyes.
I couldn't let Alden see.
So, I suppressed it.
The food arrived quickly.
I just stayed silent and focused on my food.
The dish I liked felt awfully tasteless and bland.
It's all because of that b*tch.
I truly hope you die in some ditch.
Just then, Alden tried to initiate the conversation for the first time. "So, uh… the weather's nice tonight."
It was awkward. Random. Pointless.
But it made something warm flutter inside me.
He's trying.
Did he sense I was upset?
You care, don't you, dear…
Just as I tried to answer him with a smile–
Nyx interfered again.
"Indeed, perfect for exposing manipulative liars."
I didn't even have any energy to say anything or even comprehend what she meant by that question.
I just focused on my food.
Soon we were done with our meal and exited the restaurant.
I didn't even lift my head.
We walked back to the dorms. Alden said he was tired and left with a sleepy wave.
Then I saw it—Nyx passing him something. Her contact.
Of course.
I was about to walk away too when she called out.
"Hey, Amyra wants to exchange contacts."
Her voice sounded like the epitome of friendliness, as if I was her best friend.
After what you did today, how could you even talk like that?
What is your intention, huh, Nyx?
And more importantly,
Who are you actually?
I turned, my expression cold, my voice colder.
"What do you want?"
She blinked with wide-eyes, like she didn't understand the question.
Then—
She smiled. "I just want to be friends with you."
Is she mocking me?
After all that? After everything she said and did tonight?
She wants to be my friend?
I wanted to summon my sword right then and slice this witch into a million pieces.
Screw the contract.
Screw that bastard Jeremy.
But I couldn't break character.
Not yet.
He was watching.
Alden hadn't actually left.
He was standing just past the dorm entrance.
His shadow stealth was active.
I knew what he was doing—trying to figure me out. Trying to understand why I was acting "strange".
I told him I wanted to experience real friendship. If I denied Nyx now… he'd know something was off.
I had to play along.
So I asked, "Why?"
It was a simple question. A valid one. And, truthfully, I was curious.
Nyx was an unknown variable.
She was supported by Jeremy—who held nearly as much power as my Father within the Empire.
She didn't need me.
So what does she hope to gain from me?
Nyx tilted her head at my question, her eyes calm. "Because… you seem lonely."
I blinked.
Lonely?
What is she saying?
I was confused, really confused.
She continued, with a bit melancholic expressions.
"You act strong, composed… But there's something behind your eyes. I know what it's like to pretend everything's fine."
I stared at her, silent.
What kind of nonsense is this?
"Besides", she added with a soft smile, "I think we could understand each other."
Understand?
You think you can understand me?
You, who kept interrupting every moment I had with him?
Still, I couldn't lash out. Alden was watching.
So I breathed in slowly, keeping my expression neutral.
"You're a strange person," I said, tone cold. "But fine."
If she wanted to play this game, then I'd play it better.
"If you want to be friends, I'll be your friend."
Alden would like that, right?
"But," I said, stepping slightly closer, voice dropping just enough that only she could hear, "don't ever do something like that again, okay?"
Her eyes widened just a little.
She nodded immediately. She understood what I meant.
It doesn't matter if Nyx wants to compete anymore.
I'm going to win his love. Not with tricks. Not with pity. But with everything I am.
And if I need a competitor to make the victory sweeter… I don't mind letting her try.
My heart was racing.
Because I meant every word.
I wasn't going to let anyone steal what I'd finally started to have. Not after all I'd lost.
I would earn Alden's love. And if this annoying, clueless pest wanted to compete?
So be it.
It'll make it even more satisfying when I win.
I turned away first, my heart still pounding.
She can smile all she wants—pretend all she wants.
Let her try.
Because I won't lose.
Not this time.
I'll walk the path of light if I must…
Or drown in darkness if it brings me closer to him.
Either way—
He's mine.
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Author Note:
Tried something a bit different again with this POV to show the same events from Amyra's side.
Do you guys enjoy seeing multiple perspectives like this, or does it feel repetitive? Let me know in comments—I'll definitely consider your feedback moving forward
If it starts to feel too repetitive, I'll work on tightening it up in future chapters—appreciate the feedback either way.