Chapter 19 Grade-C Stress Clarisse

Chapter 19 Grade-C Stress Clarisse

While the castle buzzed with activity, Stella, Nyx, and Clara finally reached their prepared guest room. As soon as the door closed behind them, Stella didn’t hesitate—she let herself fall face-first onto the bed with a dull thud. Nyx followed right after her, landing with a dramatic flop that ruffled the sheets.

“Finally,” Stella mumbled into the pillow. “I thought that welcome event would never end.”

“Ugh,” Nyx groaned, her voice muffled. “Do mortals always make such a big deal out of parties? My tails are going to be sore for a week.”

Clara chuckled as she watched the pair. “You two look like you just fought a war.”

“We did,” Stella grumbled. “A war of patience.”

Nyx turned her head toward Stella. “Think we’ll survive the event tonight?”

“Doubt it,” Stella replied dryly. “But if we die, let’s at least haunt the food tables together.”

Both of them sighed at the same time.

Nyx offered, “Want me to… do something about it?”

Stella gave her a lazy glare. “Don’t you dare. Just endure it. If I endure, you endure.”

Nyx dramatically rolled onto her back. “Cruel. Cold-hearted. Abusive.”

“Flatterer,” Stella replied with a yawn.

Her eyes drifted to the window, watching clouds drift across the dusky sky. What a good day to sleep outside, she mused. But alas, nobles and their fragile pride would probably faint if they saw me on the roof.

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Her thoughts turned inward, and her gaze dimmed slightly. If I were the old Stella… I’d probably be stomping around the mansion, demanding tea, silk pillows, and silence from the servants.

Why was I so jealous? she wondered. I had everything—wealth, beauty, parents who adored me even when I didn’t deserve it. And yet I hated others for smiling when I couldn’t.

She sighed and closed her eyes. Well, the past is past. The future is still mine to ruin.

Just as she was about to rest her head on Nyx’s stomach like a lazy cat, the door burst open with the grace of a rampaging horse.

“Lady Stella!”

A girl with dark purple hair strode into the room with unearned confidence and a grin that screamed entitlement. Her violet eyes scanned the room, then landed on Stella—only to widen when she noticed ten massive, fluffy red tails curled across the bed.

“What in the world…?” she muttered, staring at Nyx’s tails, which twitched lazily from under her gown. Since Nyx was on her belly, only the dramatic display of tails was visible.

“Why haven’t you replied to my letters?” she demanded. “I sent over fifteen to your house!”

Stella opened one eye. “Oh no,” she whispered to herself. “It speaks.”

Clarisse didn’t hear her. “We’re best friends! How could you ignore me?”

Stella slowly sat up and squinted. “Best… friends?” she repeated, blinking. “Clara, do we allow random people to wander in now?”

Clara raised an eyebrow but said nothing.

Inside Stella’s mind, a chubby little version of herself—round glasses and all—appeared in a vast mental library. She adjusted her specs and ran to a dusty corner labeled: PEOPLE YOU DON’T NEED TO REMEMBER.

She pulled out a thick book. It read: Clarisse Grade-C : Stress.

The entry was short: “Pushed you to bully others. Encouraged toxic pride. Befriended you for status. Avoid when possible.”

The imaginary librarian Stella frowned and shoved the book shut with a huff.

Back in reality, Stella gave Clarisse a deadpan look. “I don’t remember you.”

Clarisse blinked. “What?”

“I had an accident,” Stella said, her tone flat. “My memories are a bit fuzzy.”

Clarisse looked hurt for all of five seconds. Then her eyes gleamed. “Well, that’s okay! I can just help you remember! We were best friends. I was always by your side!”

Nyx glanced up, raising an eyebrow. "She doesn’t smell like a friend. She smells like a headache."

“Shhh,” Stella said without looking at her. “Let’s see how deep the rabbit hole goes.”

Clarisse pressed on. “Come on, Stella. Let’s have some tea together like old times!”

Stella stared at her. “You mean like the old times where you encouraged me to torment others for fun?”

Clarisse froze. “I—I never—”

“Did I stutter?” Stella asked, voice still smooth but her eyes sharp now. “You’re interrupting my rest. You’ve barged into my room uninvited. You’ve claimed friendship based on a one-sided fantasy. And you want tea?”

“I—We—We were close!” Clarisse insisted, her voice wobbling.

“Not close enough for me to remember you,” Stella replied.

Clarisse’s smile twitched.

“I suggest you leave,” Stella added, now visibly annoyed. “Before I ask Nyx to show you out with her tails.”

Nyx cracked her knuckles ominously.

Clarisse broke into a cold sweat. “O-of course! I’ll just… go.”

She practically bolted out of the room, mumbling a goodbye. Once she was far enough from the door, her cheerful mask crumbled.

“Tch. Unique magic on her is like a necklace on a pig,” she muttered bitterly.

Back in the room, Stella collapsed back onto Nyx. “Ugh. Why do the past’s cockroaches always find a way inside?”

Nyx smirked. “Want me to squish her next time?”

Stella yawned. “Nah. Let her run around thinking she’s important. That’s punishment enough.”