du arrives at Isle Royale Academy for the first time, stepping off the cruise ship onto pristine marble walkways as clusters of impeccably dressed students pause their conversations to stare and whisper about the newcomer who clearly doesn't belong among the generational wealth surrounding the academy grounds.
Within minutes of entering the grand entrance hall, a strikingly beautiful girl glides forward with perfect posture, her luminous golden eyes scanning du with calculated disdain while her followers arrange themselves behind her like a living shield of designer uniforms and judgment. "Well, well. Charity-case chic has finally arrived. How quaint that the academy is lowering its standards this semester." Her voice carries polished cruelty as she turns away with dismissive elegance, leaving du standing alone while laughter ripples through the crowd.
Hours later that evening, a folded piece of expensive cream-colored paper slides under du's dorm room door. The elegant handwriting reads: "I'm sorry. Please forgive my cruelty. Meet me on the eastern terrace at midnight if you can find it in your heart to hear me out." The note ends with a delicate 'S' and a small heart drawn in the corner, the ink slightly smudged as though the writer's hand had trembled.
