The Killer Queen (Noella Briony)

Malvina leaned back in her chair, giving a skeptical look to the lecturer on stage

Is it just me, or does the prof seem off today?”

Even Malvina, who barely scraped by academically, could tell something was wrong — and if she noticed, it meant it was obvious to the whole class. Darcy stared blankly at the whiteboard, her marker poised mid-air, repeating the same sentence over and over. Clearly, something was wrong. Ingrid voiced her concern, “ls Ms. Darcy feeling alright?"

Though Darcy was a younger lecturer, her expertise was undeniable, with a unique teaching style that could rival that of seasoned professors! This was clearly not her usual self.

As soon as class was dismissed, Malvina bolted out of the school.

Noella knew she was probably off to mend things with Ulrich. her boyfriend — young love always had a certain unmistakable aroma

Noella entered the office, finding Darcy briefing Ingrid on some homework. Ingrid still seemed worried about her.

"Are you okay, Ms. Darcy?"

"I'm fine, the class didn't go as planned today, my fault. I'll post the lecture notes online, and if you have any questions, feel free to reach out.” Ingrid nodded, "Okay, don't worry about us. We're just concerned about you. Take some rest."

After Ingrid left, Darcy finally noticed Noella standing at the door.

"Did you need me for something?"

"No, the department head wanted to see me. But you seem... a bit down."

On the desk was a vibrant bouquet of irises, a stark reminder that beauty often hides poison.

Noella softly asked, "Do you know what irises symbolize?"

Darcy paused, her gaze falling onto the flowers, still fresh with droplets of water. A card nestled among them carried Beckett's distinct handwriting "Wishing you all the best, Happy Birthday. Beckett."

Tears uncontrollably streamed down her face!

"Sorry, it's just... Dalia has been sick, and I've been taking care of her," she managed to say, referencing a coworker on medical leave. Darcy clenched her fist. “Actually, it was me who pursued Beckett."

Beckett was incredibly charming, the type that stood out in any crowd.

"He might say he pursued me, for my pride, but it wasn't like that.”

“Back in college, I did everything to win him over — attended all his classes, ‘accidentally’ bumped into him around campus, even staged a candlelit confession outside his dorm. Crazy, right?”

Considering Darcy's current demeanor, it was hard to imagine her past antics.

"I was about to give up when Beckett told me, ‘If you're giving up, then it's my turn to chase you.'" Reflecting on the past, Darcy's face softened with a tender smile as she looked at the irises

“Our timing was always off.”

Noella calmly interjected, “But if you still have feelings for Beckett. wouldn't letting go be a regret?” Regret was an understatement: some people simply exist and that's enough to take your breath away.. Darcy's gaze lingered on the bouquet.

Noella continued, “Irises mean 'I think of you.’ Whatever Beckett wants to say, you know it. What matters to you might not matter to him. The Schnabel family doesn't have a throne to inherit: no kids, so what?”

"And if you don't ask and just decide for Beckett, maybe you're not right for each other.”

Noella's words were harsh but necessary. She knew Darcy's transformation was largely due to her upbringing and personal history. Depression can make one fixate on the negatives.

With that, Noella headed to the department head's office, leaving Darcy with her thoughts and the irises Beckett!

A name she'd written countless times, each letter etched in her heart.

Darcy dialed a familiar number, and Beckett answered promptly.

"Something up?”

"I'd like to take you out for dinner, if you're free?”

Beckett paused, "Tonight's tough. If it's about Noella, Jasper can handle it.”

"It's about me. Tomorrow or the day after works too."

Hearing Darcy's tone, Beckett canceled a meeting.

“Tonight at seven, I'll pick you up.”

"No need, I'll come to you. Just find me after work!"

Beckett was genuinely surprised. os This felt fike a flashback to their college days when Darcy would» eagerly wait near his department just to see him after classes.

"Would that be inconvenient?" "Not at all. Come to my office, my assistant will come down for you.”

"Great!"

The excitement in the voice on the other end of the line was palpable, as if every second away from him was a second too long Beckett's Adam's apple bobbed as he adjusted his tie, his voice coming out bitter and raspy.

"Is there something you need my help with?”

Darcy responded promptly.

"There are a few things, actually. I was hoping Beckett could lend me his wisdom."Content © provided by NôvelDrama.Org.

But more than anything, it was because she missed him, wanted to see him, and Beckett was the only one who could make it happen!

If she thought Beckett couldn't =~ accept her troubled past, then a perhaps it was time to accept ihat theirjourney together had reached its natural end. -

After hanging up the phone, Darcy grabbed the bouquet from her desk and rushed out the door, urgency in her step. She bumped into Ingrid, who was there to drop off some homework. "Miss, where are you off to in such a hurry?"

"To meet someone very important to me!”

In the dean's office.

The dean, recently returned from

abroad, and still catching up on local news, Adjusted his glasses as te looked at the student standing before him, Noella. to 6 -

"I hear it's you who's been causing quite the stir around here, turning everything upside down!"

Noella replied coolly. "I believe we're not in the Agricultural Department."