The chatter in the classroom was livelier than usual. Katherine could hear the murmurs even before stepping through the doors—her name, whispered alongside another.
"Did you hear? Lady Katherine and Lord Adolfo—"
"His fiancée? I thought the princess was—"
"No announcement, but someone saw the gifts being delivered—"
Katherine sighed as she made her way to her seat, ignoring the not-so-subtle glances thrown in her direction. If she had known that one casual tea party would turn into the latest social scandal, she would have stayed in bed.
The moment she sat down, a familiar voice broke through the noise.
"You're awfully popular today, Lady 'Katherine'."
Katherine didn't need to turn to know who it was. Adolfo took his seat beside her with the same composed grace as ever, utterly unfazed by the whispers surrounding them. He set down his books and greeted her as if nothing had happened—as if their supposed engagement wasn't the most talked-about topic in the entire academy.
