Chapter 2 Lorrayne was itching to derail Athina's schemes , but she didn't have the pull to make it happen . The original Lorrayne was a lone wolf here - no friends , barely a coin to her name , stuck in a rut . She had no idea who Athina had sent to dig up dirt on her or what they might find . Waiting for the axe to fall was like teetering on a cliff's edge , nerve - racking but weirdly thrilling . Still , if she put herself in Athina's polished boots , Lorrayne could guess where her little spy might be headed . B5 vouchers When the original enrolled , she'd filled out a registration form with the bare minimum : just " Northern Seaboard " for her hometown . The school didn't give a hoot about your status - highborn or lowborn , everyone got the same treatment , and they didn't have to spill their life story . So , she'd kept it vague on purpose . Even if Athina's lackey went poking around the coast , good luck with that . The Northern Seaboard was a sprawling mess of towns and villages . And besides , Lorrayne's fishing village ? Gone . Pirates had wiped out everyone and burned it to the ground . She was the only one who'd made it out . What was there to find ? Just ashes and bad memories . The only thing bugging her now was the group of knights who'd rescued her and paid her way into this school . They were the only ones who knew her real deal . As class wound down , Professor Phil dished out an assignment : took a bunch of spices and whip up a " scent formula " for next time . Lorrayne thought it was bonkers . ' Spices ? For a scent ? Are they trying to turn themselves into a pot roast ? ' But nobody else batted an eye , so she zipped her lips , grabbed her spices , and headed out . " Hey , Ruth , what's your plan for those spices ? " a student called out as kids grouped up , yapping about the lomework . Lorrayne perked up , eavesdropping like a pro . " Me ? I'm gonna grind some black pepper and sage , toss in a bit of tobacco , and make snuff for a snuffbox ," one girl said . Pepper snuff ? Lorrayne made a face . ' Hard pass . " Ugh , snuff's too much work , another groaned . " I'm just doing incense . What about you , Jack ? " Jack grinned like he'd hit the jackpot . " First time I've seen this much spice ! I'm chucking it all in a pot , cooking it into a thick goo , and alathering it on every day ! " " Oh come on , Jack , " a girl laughed . " Phil's gonna flip . Pick something else , man ." Yeah dude , unless you wanna end up as jerky ," another teased . Their chatter added as they wandered off , but Lorrayne stopped in her tracks . It but her like a bolt spices weren't just for cooking here . Way back - three thousand years ago in ancient Egypt - they were used for religious rituals and mummifying bodies . They'd mix spices with gal to preserve corpses , making mummies that smelled good for centuries . In Fidonia cooking with spices came way later than in her old world , Celestial No wonder everyone had looked at her like she was nuts when she called the spices " seasonings . " Fatsing all used to embalm corpses? Yeah , that d freak anyone out It was all about a differences " This world might look like late - medieval Eldoria , but it wasn't quite the same . Back in the real Eldoria , folks were at least spicing up P Chapter 2 their beef by now . 5 vouchers The thought was a wake - up call . She'd have to watch her mouth and her moves , or she'd stick out like a goblin in a ballroom and get pegged as a heretic . With that in mind , Lorrayne started to bail - until a snobby voice cut through the air like a dagger . " Hey , lowborn ! Hold it right there ! " It was Veyna , one of Athina's cronies . Trouble was coming , and fast . Lorrayne sped up . " Lorrayne ! " Veyna sounded furious , storming up to block her path . " I said stop ! You deaf or what ? " Lorrayne sighed , forced to a halt . She looked up at Veyna's smug mug . " What's your deal , Veyna ? " Veyna smirked , nose in the air . " Think you're slick , huh ? Fooling everyone ? Eating spices ? That's a good one ! " Lorrayne's head was pounding . She wasn't about to explain she meant cooking with spices , not munching them raw . " So , you chased me down to yap about that ? Got no life , huh ? " " Yap ? " Veyna's voice hit a shrill note . " You've got some nerve talking to me like that , lowborn ! I'm gonna spill your secrets! " " Spill what , exactly ? " Lorrayne asked , cool as ice , eyebrow raised . " Oh , still playing dumb ? " Veyna took a dramatic step back , glaring like she'd caught a thief . " You're a fake ! I don't know how you know those spices , but you're not fooling me . You're no highborn ! " She pointed at Lorrayne's clothes . " That ratty wool undershirt ? Only a lowborn would wear that garbage ! " You done ? " Lorrayne asked , voice steady as she locked eyes with her . " My turn ." Veyna's jaw dropped as Lorrayne stepped closer , her gaze sharp enough to cut through iron . She began , " From where I'm standing , you're the one who's crude and tacky . No grace , no class - nothing a highborn lady should have . " You're petty , jealous , and your soul's as nasty as a swamp rat . " Honestly , Veyna , you're a walking disgrace to highborns . Go home and learn how to act like a proper lady . " Veyna's face turned tomato - red . " You - you little- ! " " Pipe down ! " Lorrayne snapped , cutting her off . " Ladies don't screech like banshees . Get it together - you're grossing me out ." Veyna let out a wail , stomped her foot , and bolted , sobbing into her hands . To a highborn girl in this world , Lorrayne's words were like a slap across the face . But she didn't feel a speck of guilt . In the original Lorrayne's memories , Veyna had swung by once in the next week , throwing insults a thousand times worse . She'd called her a filthy harlot , accused her of posing as a highborn to hook rich guys , and spread lies that her fancy dresses came from selling herself . She'd even rounded up a gang of dudes to rip Lorrayne's clothes off Sure , the original Lorrayne had faked being a highborn , but she hadn't hurt a soul or gained anything from it . She didn't deserve that kind of humiliation Even murderers got a chance to plead their case , but Lorrayne had been sentenced without a word . Thinking of the orginal's grim fate , Lorrayne's eyes darkened with shadow . House of Wesley's known for holding grudges , " a voice cut in " You just tore Veyna apart . Not scared they'll come for you ? " Athira with her golden hair and sharp blue eyes , stepped out from behind a pillar . The name " Wesley ' sparked a memory Vryo - Jull came Veyna Wesley - was the youngest daughter of Count Wesley of Borlen Kingdom . 1273 10 Chapter 2 It a count's daughter is just a lackey , who is this Athina really ? Lorrayne wondered . 5 vouchers Lorrayne buried her suspicions and turned to face her . " You're using Veyna like a pawn . Not worried she'll tattle to her daddy ? " Athina smirked , unfazed . " Me ? Scared ? Pilt . She's not exactly a mastermind . " Lorrayne nodded . " Then why should I be ? " Fair play , Athina said with a light chuckle , then switched topics . " Oh , by the way , we've got Runecraft Class tomorrow . Bet those lowborns are gonna make total fools of themselves ." She leaned in , her tone dripping with mischief . " Heard lowborns can't even handle basic Arithmetic . No times tables , no division . How're they gonna deal with geometry ? " Lorrayne's brow furrowed . Runecraft Class made sense - this was a magic academy , after all . ' But geometry ? Isn't that for math lessons ? ' Her confusion must've shown , because Athina's smile turned smug , like she'd just caught Lorrayne with her hand in the cookie jar . " Lucky for them . " Athina went on , " the library's got books on arithmetic . Even the slowest lowborns can catch up if they crack open a book . Right , Lorrayne ? " Maybe , Lorrayne said , keeping her tone neutral . But her mind was racing . The original's memories were a jumbled mess , too chaotic to sort out fast . She needed to hit the library and cram some history and customs about this world . Athina's jab had accidentally given her a tip - though it was probably another one of her little tests . Gotta jet , " Lorrayne said , shutting down the chat . She hugged her spices and took off . " Rude little nobody , " Athina muttered , her blue eyes narrowing as she watched Lorrayne's back . Then she turned , spotting a group of highborn boys reciting poetry on the lawn . She sauntered over , her smile sharp as a knife . " Our dear princess got someone in her sights ? " one of the boys teased , picking up on her vibe . Athina frowned . " Don't call me princess . I'm keeping things low - key . " " Sure thing , Athina , they said smoothly . " So , who's got you all fired up ? " That lowborn faking being a highborn . " Athina said , her voice thick with disdain . " The way she looked at me ? Total disrespect . Go teach her a lesson . " The boys swapped glances . " You sure she's a lowborn ? What if she's actually highborn ? " No way , " Athina said , dead certain . " I mentioned arithmetic books in the library , and she practically ran there . " Only a lowborn would need to brush up on basic math. " Title: ReelTalk EP 40 - Contract Lovers & Heartbreak CrushReel's ongoing romance series, Miss You After Goodbye, continues to captivate on the latest ReelTalk episode. Haley Lohrli dives into her daring new character, while Ben and Josh share insights into their own memorable roles, promising a blend of laughter and heartwarming moments. Exploring themes of love, loss, and unexpected connections, this episode delves deep into the intricate relationships that drive the narrative forward. As the stars reveal their on-screen chemistry and off-screen camaraderie, viewers are in for a treat with each unfolding scene. What sets this episode apart is its ability to balance humor with poignant storytelling, offering a refreshing take on modern romance dynamics. Dive into the world of Contract Lovers & Heartbreak, available to read at CrushReel for a journey that promises both entertainment and emotional resonance.