Celestia’s Point of View
I let out a long breath and lowered my phone. “Nothing. I have no idea how to survive like this. I was fed with a golden spoon all my life—so how would I know?”
Such a waste. I had so many plans for this chance. But while I’m here, I might as well make the most of it—take every risk I can.
“So basically,” Gallant said, crossing his arms, “you need my help to survive.”
I raised an eyebrow at him.
“Don’t worry,” he added with a teasing smirk. “I won’t charge you much. I’m not greedy.”
“What exactly are you thinking?”
His grin widened. “Let’s make an agreement.”
“An agreement?”
What now? The things that run inside this man’s head never fail to surprise me. If he weren’t the son of our school’s owner, I’d seriously suspect he had darker intentions.
He leaned back and nodded. “First, no one should ever find out you’re actually Celestia. We can’t draw too much attention. Second, you need to tell me about any move you’re planning to make—so I can help you.”
He sat down on the sofa in front of me, like a king claiming his throne. “And one more thing—you can’t talk to me at school. You’re Renne there, not Celestia. Remember that.”
---
When I returned home, Ruxe greeted me with a cheerful smile.
“Ate—! I mean, Miss Celestia! You’re back!”
I looked at him and couldn’t help but soften a little. He was setting the table, holding a few old plates in his hands. Because of Gallant, I hadn’t eaten lunch yet.
I sat down on one of their worn plastic chairs, the kind with faded black stains. “I told you already, you can call me Ate too—just like you do with the nerd.”
He chuckled. “Alright. By the way, how was work?”
I sighed. “I almost got fired. Can you believe that?”
He set a glass of water in front of me and nodded knowingly. “I figured as much. I know you’re not really my sister.”
“Stop saying that, Ruxe. I already got the job back…” And made an agreement with Gallant.
Today had been exhausting—physically, mentally, and emotionally. Everything that happened was Gallant’s fault. Still, I was grateful he was on my side.
Ruxe sat across from me, still smiling as he spoke, but something in his expression seemed… dim. Like there was a shadow behind the cheerfulness. Maybe it was because he couldn’t study. Or maybe because he’d never really had a chance to enjoy life.
We weren’t so different, after all. We were both trapped—him, by circumstance; me, by my own mother’s world. The only difference was… his reasons were understandable.
“Ate, there’s something I need to tell you.”
“What is it?”
“It’s Mom… she’s burning up with a fever. She needs medicine. I know it’s wrong to ask for help since you’re not really my sister, but—I don’t know what else to do.”
My heart dropped. “Where is she?”
“In her room…”
I stood immediately and followed him to a small door I hadn’t opened before. I hadn’t really explored this house since I arrived.
When I stepped inside, a frail old woman came into view—lying on a thin mattress, asleep, her skin flushed red from fever.
“How long has she been like this? Why didn’t you text me?” I asked, walking quickly toward her.
“I don’t have a phone,” Ruxe said quietly.
Of course.
I wasn’t Renne—and yes, Renne and I were enemies—but I couldn’t just ignore her mother. She wasn’t part of this mess. My heart wasn’t that cold.
“What do we do now, Ate?”
I touched the woman’s forehead. She was burning. But I wasn’t a doctor; I barely even took care of myself. “Ruxe, we’re taking her to the hospital.”
“The hospital? But we don’t have money.”
I turned to him, pulling out my wallet. I took out a card and showed it to him. “Look. I have money. I’ll cover all the expenses.”
He blinked at the card. “Where did you even get that?”
“Did you forget who I am? I’m the great Celestia Fontaverde,” I said with a faint, tired smile. “I’m rich.”
“But that’s your personal money. I can’t pay you back.”
“You don’t have to.”
It might drain a little of my secret wealth—but this was someone’s life. I didn’t mind using it, just this once.
I slipped the card back into my wallet. “What are you waiting for, Ruxe? Go get someone to help carry your mother.”
He nodded and ran out of the room.
If it weren’t for my hidden funds, I might’ve been panicking by now.
I pulled out my phone, scrolling through my contacts until I found Gallant’s number. He’d given it to me earlier—for “school communications,” as he put it.
I was about to text him when I heard a weak voice.
“Renne…”
I turned toward the bed. Ruxe’s mother had her eyes half open. “Renne, don’t trouble yourself. Just buy me some paracetamol from the store.”
“No, tita—I mean, m-mama.” I moved closer and sat beside her. “It’s better if we go to the hospital. They can take care of you there.”
She smiled faintly, her voice trembling. “You must be tired from work, dear. We won’t go. Don’t waste the money, Renne.”
I shook my head, a tight ache forming in my chest.
A memory flashed through my mind—my own mother, pale and sick on her bed. I’d thought it was just a mild fever back then. I’d done nothing but watch her suffer as her condition worsened. Dad had already left us by that time, and everything just… fell apart.
But this time, I could do something.
I held the woman’s burning hand gently and whispered, “Mama… please don’t worry. I have money. I can help.”
“But, dear… it’ll drain your savings,” she murmured. “How will you move out then?”
So the nerd had been saving to move out, huh?
Still, that thought made me proud of her. She wanted to leave this house behind—and truly, this place wasn’t worth the rent they paid every month.
“It’s alright,” I said softly. “What matters is that you get better.”
“Ate! They’re here!”
I let go of her hand carefully and stepped aside as several people entered to help.