Chapter 48: Not A Charity

Violet blinked, utterly stunned by the unexpected request. A tea party? That was about the last thing she expected to hear. For a fleeting moment, she considered the possibility that this girl might be mocking her. But the way she held Violet’s gaze with unwavering seriousness made it clear she wasn’t joking.

"And why would you want me at your tea party?" Violet asked, her tone sharp with suspicion. "You just met me, or do you make a habit of inviting everyone you see to your tea parties?"

The girl scoffed lightly, the corner of her lips twitching into a smirk. "Are you kidding me right now? You’re Violet Purple, the mysterious human with the purple hair who walked into Lunaris Academy and left the entire school buzzing without even trying. You’re practically a legend. People, especially the elites, are dying to know more about you. It’s honestly a tragedy that you don’t spend more time with your own kind, especially when they’re so eager to know you better." She tutted her lips in mock disappointment.

Violet’s stomach churned at the thought. "Knowing her" was precisely the thing she dreaded the most. She wasn’t some circus animal meant to entertain these entitled brats, yet the girl’s tone left little room for argument. It wasn’t exactly a request, it was more like an expectation.

Lifting her chin, Violet asked pointedly, "And how do I know this isn’t just another scheme to humiliate or undermine me, like most sororities love to do?"

The girl didn’t respond immediately. Instead, she tilted her head slightly, studying Violet with a curious expression before gracefully stepping closer. Violet’s instincts screamed at her to step back cautiously, but she forced herself to stand her ground, refusing to show any weakness. When the girl was finally face to face with her, she spoke confidently.

"It’s my party, Violet. I’m inviting you personally, which means you’ll be under my protection. I don’t let anyone undermine my guests, not the queen bee, not Griffin Hale, not even the gods themselves." The way she spoke carried such authority, such certainty, that for a moment, Violet almost believed her.

Still, the way this girl seemed to know so much about her —and the enemies she actively tried to avoid—sent a cold shiver down Violet’s spine.

Her instincts screamed trap

"Fine," Violet finally said after a long pause, weighing her options. "I’ll come to your tea party, but only on one condition. I leave whenever I want." Besides, Violet told herself, it didn’t really matter. She’d be gone from Lunaris by tonight, so this whole ordeal was a moot point.

"Perfect!" the girl exclaimed, clapping her hands together. Even that simple gesture was executed with an effortless grace that made Violet’s stomach twist with envy.

With a bright, almost mischievous gleam in her eyes, she grabbed Violet’s arm. "We’re going to have so much fun, sister."

"Indeed, Sister." Violet echoed flatly, her tone devoid of the enthusiasm the girl clearly expected.

Unbothered, the girl turned to her makeup bag, retrieved it, and dropped it onto the counter in front of Violet. "Here, you can have it."

Violet stared at the bag in disbelief. "Wait, what? I don’t need all this. Just give me a minute, and I’ll borrow what I need and give it back."

But the girl raised a finger, pressing it gently against Violet’s lips to silence her. "No arguments, think of it as a gesture of goodwill. Besides, I’ve got so many of these I wouldn’t even notice it’s gone."

Whether or not the girl meant to be arrogant, the statement rubbed Violet the wrong way. The last thing she wanted was to be some charity case for the elite students to fawn over. But before she could muster a response, the girl was already walking away.

"See you at my tea party, Violet Purple," she called over her shoulder, flashing a dazzling smile.

"Wait!" Violet shouted after her, a sudden thought striking her. "I don’t even know your name!"

The girl paused at the doorway, her hand resting lightly on the frame. With a playful wink, she said, "Don’t worry, I’m sure you’ll find out right after now." And with that, she disappeared through the door, leaving Violet alone.

For a long moment, Violet stared after her, bewildered. What in the moon just happened?

She glanced down at the makeup bag, then back at her reflection in the mirror. Well, at least she had makeup now. As for the tea party... if the girl was confident Violet would find her, then the location wouldn’t be a problem.

Violet carefully reached into the makeup bag and began sifting through its contents. The array of expensive products made her pause for a moment. This girl must own half a beauty store, she thought with a small shake of her head.

Her fingers found a foundation close to her skin tone, and she applied it carefully, blending it with precision. She followed it up with a subtle blush to bring life back to her cheeks.

As Violet worked, her reflection gradually transformed. A light sweep of golden eyeshadow made her striking eyes pop, and eyeliner added an edge to her gaze that seemed to challenge anyone who dared look her way. Mascara coated her lashes, giving them a thick, dramatic effect. She finished with a soft peach lipstick that made her lips look full and warm, pulling the whole look together.

By the time she was done, Violet leaned back to take in her reflection. The face staring back at her was dazzling. Her golden eyes gleamed like molten amber, brighter and bolder than they had any right to be. The faint signs of her earlier tears were completely erased, leaving her looking composed, radiant, and untouchable.

"Wow," Violet muttered under her breath, tilting her head as she examined her handiwork. For once, she felt a surge of pride at her appearance. She was beautiful.

Her eyes flicked back to the makeup bag sitting on the counter, brimming with luxurious products. Her jaw tightened slightly. What was she supposed to do with all of this?

The bag wasn’t hers, it hadn’t been part of the deal. The girl had only promised her makeup for a touch-up, not to hand over an entire kit.

For a brief, wild moment, Violet considered dumping it into the waste bin beside her. But then she paused, her practical side kicking in. The bag and its contents were undeniably expensive, throwing it away would be like committing a crime. A grave one. Violet couldn’t bring herself to do it.

Fine, she’d return it to her at the tea party. Violet made up her mind. It was the most logical solution.

Violet didn’t want to owe anyone, especially an elite. She had spent her whole life avoiding obligations to people who could later use them against her. This way, she could keep her end of the unspoken bargain intact.

Clutching the bag, Violet squared her shoulders and glanced at herself one last time in the mirror. She had armor now, not the physical armor, but the kind that made her feel capable of holding her own in a school full of wolves, both figurative and literal.

With a decisive nod, she picked up her belongings, threw the makeup bag over her shoulder, and strode out of the restroom.