“Terms and Conditions Apply”

‎The announcement should have felt like an achievement.

‎

‎It didn’t.

‎

‎Sera stood outside the auditorium, arms crossed, staring at the printed notice pinned to the board like it had personally offended her.

‎

‎**NATIONAL ACADEMIC SUMMIT REPRESENTATIVES**

‎-Lucien Ardent-

‎-Seraphina Vale-

‎

‎Side by side.

‎

‎Unavoidable.

‎

‎“Wow,” Calista(Calla)Verne said, leaning beside her with a grin that screamed *this is going to be entertaining.* “You look like you’re about to file a lawsuit against a piece of paper.”

‎

‎Sera didn’t blink. “I might.”

‎

‎“You and Lucien Ardent,” Calla continued, clearly enjoying this too much. “Forced proximity? Shared responsibility? Intellectual tension?” She gasped dramatically. “Romantic comedy gold.”

‎

‎“It’s a nightmare,” Sera corrected.

‎

‎“Same thing.”

‎

‎Before Sera could respond, a calm voice cut through the hallway.

‎

‎“You’re early.”

‎

‎She didn’t have to turn around.

‎

‎She recognized it already.

‎

‎Controlled. Even. Slightly irritating.

‎

‎Lucien.

‎

‎Sera exhaled, slow and deliberate, before facing him. “I like to prepare for disasters.”

‎

‎His gaze flicked briefly to the notice board, then back to her.

‎

‎“Good,” he said. “You’ll need it.”

‎

‎Calla let out a quiet *“oh?”* under her breath and stepped back, clearly deciding she’d rather watch than interfere.

‎

‎Sera tilted her head. “Let’s get something straight.”

‎

‎Lucien raised an eyebrow. “By all means.”

‎

‎“This,” she gestured between them, “is temporary.”

‎

‎“Obviously.”

‎

‎“You don’t tell me what to do.”

‎

‎“I wouldn’t waste my time.”

‎

‎“I make my own arguments.”

‎

‎“I expect nothing less.”

‎

‎She paused.

‎

‎He wasn’t arguing.

‎

‎He was… agreeing.

‎

‎And somehow that made it worse.

‎

‎Sera narrowed her eyes. “You’re insufferable.”

‎

‎“And you’re predictable.”

‎

‎Calla clutched her chest. “I love this. Please continue.”

‎

‎“Go away,” Sera and Lucien said at the same time.

‎

‎Calla beamed. “Oh, you’re already in sync.”

‎

‎Footsteps approached, cutting through the moment.

‎

‎A tall guy with an easy grin slipped into the space beside Adrian, hands casually tucked into his pockets.

‎

‎“So this is her.”

‎

‎Sera looked at him.

‎

‎He looked amused.

‎

‎Too amused.

‎

‎“Daryl Ardent,” he introduced himself, offering a hand she didn’t take. “Cousin. Occasional voice of reason.”

‎

‎“Unreliable,” Lucien added flatly.

‎

‎“Selective,” Daryl corrected. His attention shifted back to Sera. “I heard you hijacked a debate yesterday.”

‎

‎“I corrected it,” Sera said.

‎

‎Dary laughed. “Yeah. I’m going to like you.”

‎

‎“Don’t,” Lucien said.

‎

‎“Too late.”

‎

‎Sera ignored them both. “Are we done here?”

‎

‎“Not yet,” Lucien replied. “We need to discuss strategy.”

‎

‎“Strategy?”

‎

‎“Yes. For the summit.”

‎

‎“I work alone.”

‎

‎“You don’t anymore.”

‎

‎The words landed heavier than expected.

‎

‎Sera straightened. “Then adjust.”

‎

‎“No.”

‎

‎That was new.

‎

‎She frowned. “No?”

‎

‎Adrian stepped slightly closer—not aggressively, but firmly enough to make a point.

‎

‎“We’re representing the same institution,” he said. “That means coordination. Structure. Efficiency.”

‎

‎“And you think I lack those?”

‎

‎“I think you resist them.”

‎

‎Sera let out a short laugh. “You don’t know me.”

‎

‎“I know enough.”

‎

‎That did it.

‎

‎“Then enlighten me,” she challenged.

‎

‎A brief pause.

‎

‎Adrian studied her—not like before.

‎

‎More carefully now.

‎

‎“You rely on instinct,” he said. “It makes you fast, but inconsistent.”

‎

‎“And you rely on control,” she fired back. “It makes you stable, but rigid.”

‎

‎Daryl leaned against the wall, whispering to Calla, “This feels illegal to watch.”

‎

‎Calla nodded. “Like we should be paying tickets.”

‎

‎Lucien's gaze didn’t leave Sera's.

‎

‎“Then we adjust,” he said.

‎

‎Sera blinked. “…What?”

‎

‎“You adapt to structure,” he continued calmly. “I adapt to unpredictability.”

‎

‎She narrowed her eyes. “You’re negotiating.”

‎

‎“I’m optimizing.”

‎

‎“That’s not better.”

‎

‎“It’s effective.”

‎

‎Silence settled between them.

‎

‎Not empty.

‎

‎Tense.

‎

‎Measured.

‎

‎Dangerous in a way neither of them fully acknowledged.

‎

‎Finally, Sera spoke.

‎

‎“…Fine.”

‎

‎Calla gasped softly. “She said yes. Historic moment.”

‎

‎“But,” Sera added sharply, eyes locked on Adrian, “we set rules.”

‎

‎His expression didn’t change.

‎

‎“Go ahead.”

‎

‎“No interference during my arguments.”

‎

‎“Conditional.”

‎

‎“No conditions.”

‎

‎“Unrealistic.”

‎

‎She stepped closer.

‎

‎“So is working with you.”

‎

‎For a moment—

‎

‎Just a moment—

‎

‎Something almost like amusement flickered in his eyes.

‎

‎“Then we’ll both be uncomfortable,” he said.

‎

‎Sera smiled.

‎

‎Not sweet.

‎

‎Not soft.

‎

‎But sharp enough to match him.

‎

‎“Good.”

‎

‎Daryl pushed himself off the wall. “I give it two weeks before one of you loses it.”

‎

‎Calla shook her head. “I give it three days.”

‎

‎Lucien turned slightly, already walking away. “We start tomorrow. Library. Eight a.m.”

‎

‎Sera scoffed. “I don’t do mornings.”

‎

‎“Then start.”

‎

‎He didn’t wait for a response.

‎

‎Of course he didn’t.

‎

‎Sera watched him leave, irritation simmering under her skin—

‎

‎But beneath it—

‎

‎Something else lingered.

‎

‎Not curiosity this time.

‎

‎Something more deliberate.

‎

‎More dangerous.

‎

‎Calla nudged her. “So… enemies to partners?”

‎

‎Sera exhaled slowly.

‎

‎“Temporary,” she said.

‎

‎But as her eyes drifted toward the direction Lucien disappeared—

‎

‎Even she didn’t sound convinced.

‎

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