Chapter 36 65 vouchers Phil said helplessly . " If you're the only one in class with a perfect score , the others are going to be jealous of you . " " Then let them be jealous . They're just a bunch of worthless scum - why should I give a damn about their feelings ? " " Athina , this isn't Atlandia Kingdom ." Phil replied gently . She was merely the princess of Atlandia Kingdom , after all , and its king didn't rule over the entire Westvale . People from other countries wouldn't cower before his power . Athina picked up on his unspoken meaning , but she just sneered . " Even if we're not in Atlandia Kingdom , taking them out would still be a piece of cake for me . " Phil rubbed his temples , feeling a headache brewing . " Don't toss around threats like that so lightly . You know the Syrria Academy of Arcana has strict rules against infighting ." " Uncle , you've got to learn to bend the rules a bit . Who said I'd do it on academy grounds ? " " Athina , your father sent you here because he doesn't approve of your ... killings . He wants you to learn about mercy and friendship . " Doesn't approve of my killings ? More like he didn't like me bumping off his pregnant mistresses , " Athina said with a vicious edge . " Who do those whores think they are , dreaming of becoming queen ? All I did was carve out the little bastards from their bellies and feed them to the dogs , and suddenly they're out for my blood . " I wasn't even planning to kill them at first . But they just kept throwing themselves at my blade . " Phil shivered , chilled to the bone . " Athina ! How can you be so heartless ? Those were real , living people ! " " Shut it . Uncle , " Athina snapped , her eyes like chips of ice . " If Mother and I hadn't fought tooth and nail to hold our ground in the palace , do you really think you'd still have all this ? " Without our ruthlessness , the Phil family would've been stripped of its Highborns ages ago . Could you still lounge around as a pampered Highborn ? " Don't preach to me from your high horse . You've been living easy for so long you think your hands are clean ? When you all framed Queen Isis back then , none of you hesitated . " Phil went quiet . After a long silence , he muttered , " That was Father's and Sister's scheme . I just ... passed along the message . " Athina smirked mockingly . " If you could help them with a little note back then , why can't you lend me a hand now ? " I don't even need you to lift a finger - just look the other way . Relax , I don't have the time to squash every little pest . I'll only go after the queen bee ." " You mean to kill Lorrayne ? " Anxiety knotted in Phil's gut . " But we don't know for sure who she is . She might not even be Queen Isis's daughter . What if you get it wrong- " " Better safe than sorry , Athina said coldly . " I tested her the other night . The little slut thought I'd mixed her up with someone else and practically leaped into my trap with a grin . " You get what that means , right ? " Phil frowned , confused " What does it mean ? " It means right now , she's posing as a Highborn when she's really just some Lowborn trash . Killing her won't stir up any real trouble . " " So what's your plan ? " " I hear the city's crawling with lowlifes . They'd love to get their hands on that seductive tramp face of hers . " Phil hesitated , uneasy . " But those thugs wouldn't know she's a Lowborn . They wouldn't dare lay a finger on her . " Uncle , you're so clueless , Athina said , her lips twisting into a sly smile . " We'll just have my people play the part . My guards are due back any day now ." Fake thugs raping and murdering a fake Highborn - this linte drama would be way more fun than dealing with those sniveling pregnant COWS 11/3 P Chapter 36 55 vouchers " Lorrayne , " Athina whispered , a stormy darkness swirling in her deep blue eyes , " I gave you a chance to walk away , but you didn't take it . Now , don't even dream of leaving Syrria alive ," You're dying right here . Who told you to shine so brightly , anyway ? ' she thought . ' Stupid as you are , even if you learned your true identity , you wouldn't pose any real threat to me . Once I'd had enough fun with you , I could've just let you walk away . But no , you had to excel at everything , picking up skills left and right . If those bootlicking ministers back in the capital - who waste their days dreaming up some perfect heir - ever caught wind of it , where would that leave me and Mother ? Meanwhile , on the other side of town , after finally ditching her overly eager Highborn classmates - promising to buy them dinner next time - Lorrayne hightailed it out of the school . Tom's carriage was parked right at the gate , and not far off , hidden behind a tree , stood Troy in his all - black getup . Feeling totally safe , Lorrayne hopped in , and Tom whisked her back to the little courtyard . The moment her feet hit the ground , a sour surge of bile rose in her stomach - she swallowed it back down with effort . Sure , riding in a carriage spared her legs , but it played hell with her gut . She couldn't fathom how the Highborns put up with it ; they didn't even seem to get carsick . Lorrayne pinched the web between her thumb and index finger for a good minute until the dizziness finally faded . " Ms. Lorrayne , ready for lunch ? " Bella came trotting over . " Yeah , bring it out . " She'd skipped breakfast and was famished . Bella served up the bread and mini cakes she'd just mastered yesterday , plus the beef soup and veggie corn salad Lorrayne had asked for . " Where's everyone else ? " " Ms. Rossetti and the two Knights are out house - hunting ; they won't be back till later . " Thinking of them soured Bella's mood a bit . Before leaving , those Knights had stormed the kitchen , grabbing over half the bread she'd baked . Yeah , they'd thrown her a bunch of coins , but they'd almost wiped out the share she'd set aside for Lorrayne . She thought . They've got cash to spare - why not just eat out ? ' Bella grumbled inwardly . Lorrayne sipped the beef soup . " Bella , step outside and see if Troy's still around . If he is , invite him in for a bite . " With Lilian and the others away today , Troy might not feel so out of place . " Oh , but he already chowed down , Bella said , counting on her fingers . " Last night he snuck in and demolished eight loaves of bread and seventeen cakes . This morning , he climbed through the back window and polished off two pounds of beef , eight boiled eggs , and five more loaves . " By the end of her tally , her shoulders sagged . " Ms. Lorrayne , I'm wiped out . I pulled an all - nighter baking bread yesterday , and it barely covered one of their feasts " Lorrayne was speechless . She thought , Is Troy part pig ? How does he pack away that much ? Corging like that - he's lucky he doesn't bursit ' Does he even realize how expensive meat , eggs , and milk are ? One Gold Coin a day , and he's still freeloading like a glutton - what a total pig As she noticed the dark circles under Bella's eyes , Lorrayne's heart went out to her . " Bella , no more staving un 12/8 3/3 P D Chapter 36 now on , you're the housekeeper here , and your pay's doubling to one Silver Coin a day . " Hire a couple more maids - ones who are hardworking and kind ." Bella pulled a face . " Understood , Ms. Lorrayne ." Lorrayne caught the expression and asked , confused , " You don't look thrilled . What's wrong ? " 55 vouchers " I am thrilled - I'm so moved I could cry . " Bella wiped her eyes ; deep down , she worried Lorrayne was heading straight for the poorhouse . " That touched ? ' Lorrayne was taken aback . " Next time Troy raids the kitchen , let him know his meals are coming out of his wages from here on out . " " You got it . Ms. Lorrayne ! " Bella perked up instantly ; at last , Lorrayne was pinching pennies . After eating . Lorrayne retreated to her room for her daily divination . One question had been nagging at her forever , and she hoped today would bring clarity . Diving into her mental space , Lorrayne fixed her gaze on the Celestarium . " Can I ever return to my original world ? " 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.