CHAPTER 46: EXACTLY AS PLANNED.

The air at the chamber of Whitethorn’s committee was heavy and packed with tension.

At the head of the long table, Principal Maren sat with her back ramrod straight, she folded her hands on the table, a picture of quiet authority. To her right, Mallory Woods kept her usual calm composure, a reassuring, but deceiving smile playing on her lips.

Professor Alden, the head of discipline sat stiffly across, his jaw locked tight. Ms. Corrin his assistant, perched beside him, her pale eyes flickering with curiosity, while Dr. Kade loomed at the far end, silent and unreadable. Together, they formed the five voices of the school’s highest authority.

The doors opened with a heavy creak.

The four boys were escorted inside. Luca in front, Rafe following right behind him, Killian and Cassian coming in next.

Behind them came Bella.

Maren’s lips curved the faintest bit when she saw her, though the expression never reached her eyes.

"You five, stand accordingly in front of the panel," Maren’s voice carried easily through the hall.

Their feet scrubbed the floor as they obeyed, standing in a straight file, all eyes on them.

Maren observed them for some time before she began. "Last night, during the hours when students should have been safely in their dormitories, the four of you were found outside. Wandering. Disturbing the peace of this academy."

Luca was the first to answer, his tone even. "We couldn’t sleep, Principal Maren. That’s all. We decided to walk."

Her eyes narrowed slightly, "All four of you couldn’t sleep at once?"

"Yes," Killian said quickly. "We just... needed air."

Alden snorted. "Needed air? At midnight?"

Corrin spoke up. "My record here said you four were out in the field at 12:50AM. The field is almost 400 kilometres from your dormitories. Even if you wanted to take a walk like you claim, how can you walk that far?"

Cassian spoke up, calm but firm. "I guess we lost track of time and calculation of the distance we’d covered, Miss Corrin."

"Lost track of time and distance indeed." Maren muttered.

"We are telling the truth," Rafe responded. What we’re saying isn’t far-fetched. Think about it, four boys walking while talking about anything and everything—could make us lose track of time."

"And what exactly were you all talking about by that time?" Alden asked again.

"It’s quite personal, Professor Alden." Cassian replied.

"Hmmm. Being evasive? You’re not even making any efforts to vindicate yourselves and make your punishment lighter."

’We’re trying our best Professor, we’ve told you everything that transpired last night."

Dr. Kade’s low voice rumbled from his end of the table. "And Miss Rivers? Why was she with you?"

Bella’s hands curled on her lap. "I–I also couldn’t sleep. I heard them walking and I didn’t want to be alone. So I followed."

The committee exchanged glances.

"Miss Rivers, you must think us fools on this panel." Corrin said. How can you possibly ’hear’ them walking when your dorm rooms are far apart from each other?"

"No Ma’am, I was already up and outside on the assembly ground, that’s when I heard their voices and decided to join them."

Maren’s gaze swept slowly across their faces, pausing on Bella longer than necessary. "You’re trying to play smart, Miss Rivers. Thats doesn’t change the fact that you all broke the rules of student affairs."

"We’re sorry for breaking the rules, Principal Maren." Rafe apologised.

"This makes me wonder how many times this has happened in the past. If Principal Maren hadn’t caught you yesterday..."

"What I want to clarify is this, was that all that happened? You five meeting on the assembly ground and walking all the way to the field?"

"Yes, Principal Maren." Luca replied firmly, meeting her eyes.

"Nothing unusual? Nothing... dangerous? Nothing that should be brought to our notice?"

"No, Principal," Rafe said flatly.

The carefully crafted lie hung in the air.

Ms. Corrin tapped her pen lightly. "Surely you know the rules. No students wandering past curfew. You jeopardize not only your safety, but the order of this school."

"It won’t happen again," Luca said before the others could speak.

Alden leaned forward, eyes sharp. "You expect us to believe the four of you simply couldn’t sleep? Because it doesn’t seem that way to me. You look more like boys who’ve been in a fight."

They four shifted but said nothing.

Mallory’s lips curved slightly, though her tone stayed cool. "Professor Alden, perhaps we should take their words at face value. If they say they were restless, then restless they were."

The other members glanced at her in surprise, but she remained smiling.

"Still, rules were broken. Discipline must be upheld." Maren countered.

Mallory’s voice slid in gently. "They are young. They made a poor choice, but no harm came of it. Perhaps a lighter consequence is more fitting than harsh judgment."

Bella glanced toward her, startled by the unexpected kindness.

Alden bristled. "Lighter consequence? They disobeyed curfew—"

"Enough," Maren’s voice cut cleanly through the argument. "They will face punishment, yes. And we will balance discipline with... understanding like Mallory has so graciously suggested."

Her eyes lingered on Bella again, almost burning.

"The four of you will be confined to the dormitories for the week. No extracurriculars, no classes, you’re not even allowed to go to the dining. Your food will be delivered to your dorm rooms and you’re entitled to just one meal a day."

"And Bella?" Cassian asked.

Maren’s smile was thin. "She will remain under observation. For her safety. And for ours."

Bella’s eyes widened slightly. "Just...observation?"

"It’s not a punishment," Mallory said softly, her gaze warm on Bella. "Just precaution. You’ll still attend your classes as usual. But someone will always know where you are. So we can keep you safe."

Bella nodded slowly, though unease rippled through her.

The gavel of finality came with Maren’s closing words: "This is mercy. Do not test my patience again."

The boys stiffened and had the same question on all their minds, Bella was to walk free? But none argued.

As the guards moved to escort them out, Bella lingered behind, her eyes darting between the four and the board. Mallory rose lightly, brushing past Maren, and rested a gentle hand on Bella’s arm.

"Don’t worry," she murmured, her voice low enough for only Bella to hear. "I’ll help you through this."

Bella hesitated... then nodded.

Maren, watching from the head of the table, concealed her smirk with folded hands.

Exactly as planned.

As they turned to leave, Maren’s voice came loud and sharp.

"You Miss Rivers, stay behind."