Six days.
It had officially been six days since The Doll began attending Dreadwood Academy. Compared to the rather hectic first two days, things had been shockingly calm throughout the rest of her first week at Dreadwood.
There were no instances of The Strings coming back.
Cecilia hadn't called The Doll for any more secret meetings.
It seemed The Doll was finally getting the order that she so craved when initially coming to Dreadwood. Yet despite that order seeming so close, there was still one constant in her time at Dreadwood that was far from orderly.
Malina.
The princess had proved her odd fascination with The Doll to not be a passing one. This was made especially evident by the insistent knocking on her door that rudely called her out of her room on one of her days off of the academy. She had hoped to get her homework done before attending the duel between Lukaz and Darius that she was socially obligated to watch. But like a storm coming to ruin her plans, Malina had made her intentions to do the opposite quite clear by rattling on The Doll's door and shouting what she insisted on calling her.
Looking wistfully at the desk containing mountains of paper The Doll considered simply ignoring Malina. Thus thought was, however, quickly extinguished by yet another shout from Malina, “DOLIEEEEE!!!!” It was clear the Malina had no intention of stopping until she got her way, much like a child.
Sighing The Doll didn't bother to respond as she opened the door, resigning herself to her fate.
As soon as the door was opened The Doll felt a weight that had become increasingly familiar throw itself on top of her. Fortunately The Doll had grown used to this greeting from Malina as she preemptively braced herself for it, allowing her to not fall to the ground as was typical.
Looking down, The Doll addressed Malina, who was currently clinging onto her in a tight hug that threatened to deprive her of air, “Would you mind releasing me?” The Doll managed to spit out.
Malina loosened up her grip slightly and lingered for a moment before finally saying in a low tone, "Yes," but releasing her nonetheless.
After being released, The Doll opened her mouth with the intent to ask why Malina felt the need to bother her on one of her days off. Though perhaps she would have said that in a slightly more gentle manner.
However, before she could even get the words out, Malina grabbed her by the hand and began dragging her outside the room. The Doll thought to protest but decided against it instead, asking, “Where are we going?” A simple and reasonable question.
Or so The Doll thought as Malina giggled and said, "We are going to get Shyla, but after that it's a surprise.” As she finished saying this, the two reached Lilas's dorm, which was relatively close to The Dolls but closer to the entrance.
It was actually quite strange that Malina decided to gather The Doll first when, typically, every time she showed up to walk with The Doll to class, Lila was already there. A question for another time The Doll decided as Malina was already aggressively rapping on Lila's door.
After the first few knocks, the door was swung open to reveal Cecilia, who said, “What do you want?” In a slightly aggravated tone, before her eyes widened upon realizing who was knocking on her door. A wide smile that looked far too real suddenly replaced her scowl as she said, "Oh, Lady Regius and Lady Ashencroft, pleasure to see you.” The Doll would never grow used to that effortless change in demeanor.
Looking between Malina and Cecilia, The Doll thought about the few interactions they had. From those interactions two things were certain: one was that Malina didn't know Cecilia was a pillar, and the second was that Malina held an intense dislike for Cecilia.
Malina put a sour look on her face as she responded, "We're here for Shyla so you can take your leave.” Her tone was curt and to the point, showing a different kind of dislike from what she felt towards Lukaz.
The smile on Cecilia's face didn't leave despite the tone Malina used, likely due to her service to Malina's father. Without missing a beat, Cecilia said, “I see. Unfortunately, she isn't here right now; she left for the dining hall an hour ago.” She looked as if she was about to say something else, but Malina promptly closed the door in her face.
The Doll was left staring at Malina, who simply shrugged and said, “I don't like her.” The Doll decided not to reply to this; it was hardly her problem what Malina thought of Cecilia.
Noticing that The Doll had no reply, Malina grabbed her hand and began leading her outside towards the main academy building, where the dining hall was located.
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As they walked in silence through the halls of Lunarie The doll looked down at the two of their hands connected, a habit that Malina had been doing in increasing amounts. “You can let go of my hand. I'm plenty capable of following you without guidance.” It was a strange act to The Doll and something that she can't quite recall anyone doing for her since she was a child.
Back when Mother took care of her.
Malina's grip shockingly tightened on The Dolls hand as Malina continued the act for a moment before replying, “I want to.” She simply said in an uncharacteristically serious response.
Deciding to push her luck The Doll asked, “Why? It seems as though it would be more an inconvenience than anything.” The Doll could already hear people whispering as they reached outside, so she added on, "It also doesn't send off the best image to onlookers.” Despite saying this, she didn't dare to pull her hand away.
Malina continued forward unperturbed by The Dolls worries as she said, “I don't think I need a reason to want to hold the hand of what's mine.” The Doll suppressed a sigh at this response; it was quite typical of Malina. She wasn't sure what else she expected.
As The Doll prepared to settle back into comfortable silence, Malina decided to speak up once again. “Though if I had to give a reason, I'd say it's because of your hands.”
Her hands?
What did Malina mean by that?
After it became clear Malina wasn't going to elaborate further, The Doll decided to push for more: “You can't even feel my hands; I wear gloves.” The Doll could hardly see anything special about her hands even without the gloves. Unless the cut across her palm from Cecilia could be considered, but Malina wasn't even holding that hand.
It made no sense.
Malina simply responded, “Even so, your hands always feel so cold.” This response only served to confuse The Doll even further; such a thing made no sense it caused The Doll to stop moving and stare at Malina.
Speaking almost on instinct The Doll voiced her thoughts, “But it's hardly appropriate. Who knows what other people think when they look at the sight? Yet you claim to do it for such frivolous reasons as you want to or that my hands feel cold?” She then sighed and stopped following. “It simply doesn't make any sense.” After finishing The Doll, Flinched slightly; perhaps she voiced too much of her true thoughts to Malina.
She would surely be angered.
Voicing her thoughts so unfiltered never did end well; she should've thought more about her response.
Malina turned to face The Doll looking straight into her eyes with those colorless orbs that matched the rest of her world. She began rapidly thinking of possible responses that would stave off the righteous anger Malina was undoubtedly feeling.
Yet instead of anger, Malina brought The Dolls hands up in hers and said with a bright smile, “Who cares what others think?” She then giggled, which seemed hardly appropriate for the situation as she elaborated, “Everybody else at this academy is beneath us; their thoughts on us hardly matter. I'm a princess, and you're the child of a major family.” Malina then pulled The Doll closer to her and said, "You can do whatever you want, Dollie.” Words that felt foreign to The Doll's ears.
Could she truly do whatever she wished?
Her name did hold significant status at this academy. Short of the faculty, nobody's words could truly affect her. Perhaps she should stop worrying about what others think.
No. That was a foolish thought; her value was only that of the Ashencroft line. To act in such a way would reflect poorly on the Ashencroft line. She didn't have that same privilege; the Ashencroft line rests on her shoulders.
But she didn't pull away from Malina. It would be unwise to anger a royal so she would continue to do as Malina wished. She’d already told herself that so many times, yet she felt the constant need to remind herself of it.
Why?
Could there be another reason The Doll listened to Malina and entertained her wishes. Something that she herself decided to suppress was a feeling, a desire for something outside of the logic and reason The Doll operated on.
No. That was also a foolish thought; this was simply the right answer.
Looking towards Malina The Doll prepared to tell her they should get going before a familiar voice talking in an uncharacteristically loud tone, “I hardly see why any of this is even necessary, Madame Octavia.” Turning her gaze away from Malina and towards the source of this voice. The Doll’s suspicion was confirmed when she saw a familiar head of slicked-back black hair in what appeared to be a heated discussion with Madame Octavia.
How strange to see Lukaz so angry, especially towards one in charge.
Eager to change the topic The Doll said, “I wonder what that's about," hoping that Malina's attention would divert to the scene happening rather close by.
Rolling her eyes, Malina turned away from The Doll and began walking once again, saying, “Who cares? You're hanging out with me, not him.” The Doll didn't argue with this, as she herself didn't particularly care as to the reason.
It was likely just stress from the upcoming duel; no matter how sure the win was, having to fight before so many people can be nerve-wracking. She was sure Lukaz would get over it after beating Darius.
Regardless, it was unlikely to be something serious or pertain to her.
The two continued to walk towards the dining hall in comfortable silence as the main academic building got closer and closer. Eventually the two reached the door to the building, likely filled with many students studying or simply hanging out.
Looking down, she saw she was still holding Malina's hand as she pushed open the door.
Eyes would undoubtedly turn to them as they always did.
She could simply pull away; it was an option she always had, or at least she thought she did. She wasn't sure how Malina would react to her doing such a thing. It would surely be a negative reaction, something along the lines of anger similar to the confrontation four days ago.
Yes, that would surely be how she would react.
To avoid that happening, she kept hold of Malina's hand.
There was no other reason there could be no other reason.