Chapter 15

Ledger's POV 

The sound of another microphone feedback fills the hall. There was a low static. A pause. Then—

“Good morning, Monarchcrest,” I began, voice smooth. “This is your favorite center, Ledger Rivers, coming to you live from the belly of the Snow Bear Den.”

A couple of gasps echoed from outside the booth. I could already picture the heads turning.

Cassie didn’t miss a beat. She leaned toward the mic like she had done this a hundred times. “And Cassie Monroe,” she said, voice dry, “not your favorite anything—but easily the most interesting person in this school.”

God, I loved that line. Of course she’d one-up my intro.

I smiled to myself. “We know your day’s packed with lectures, iced coffee, and passive-aggressive hallway stares—”

Cassie cut in, tone sharp and playful. “—but we thought we’d spice things up.”

We were killing this.

“So, here’s the scoop,” I said, drawing it out just a little. “Cassie and I are officially throwing our hats into the ring.”

“For Masquerade Monarchs,” she added coolly.

“King. Queen. The full fairytale package.”

“Minus the glass slipper and weird castle curfew.”

I had to fight not to laugh into the mic. Her delivery was too clean.

“We’re not here to play it safe or throw around empty promises. We just want to shake things up, turn a few heads, and maybe—just maybe—give Monarchcrest the kind of royal duo it didn’t know it needed.”

Cassie sat forward, confidence oozing from her. “So if you’re tired of the same recycled, safe, and empty speeches…”

“Vote smart. Vote spicy.”

“Vote Ledger and Cassie,” she said.

“You’ll thank us at the Ball.”

And with that, I reached out and hit the button.

Click.

Silence settled in the room after that. My gaze sought out Cassie's. She was smiling brightly. She looked free and relaxed. I became engrossed in watching her and completely forgot that we weren't alone in the studio.

A voice cut through the moment.

“So, this is what you needed the studio for?”

I blinked. Alison Andrews had appeared like a storm cloud in heels. Her presence filled the space without even trying. The studio manager and producers fell over themselves as they rose to greet her.

It was an amusing sight. I glanced at Cassie. She seemed to be watching Alison curiously.

“President!” one of the producers called out, clearly nervous. “We weren’t expecting you today.”

Alison gave him that tight, polished smile she wore like armor. “Clear the room, please.”

It took less than thirty seconds for the studio to empty. As the last person slipped out, I gave a slow shake of my head. 

It took less than thirty seconds for the room to be cleared out. I shook my head as I watched the last person leave. “The amount of power you have never fails to amaze me, sister.”

Alison raised a questioning brow before glancing sideways at Cassie who was looking between us with a puzzled expression. “You must really trust her if you're calling me that in front of her.”

Cassie blinked. “Wait—you're siblings?” She looked back and forth between us like it didn’t compute. “But... you don’t have the same last name. Or hair.”

“That’s because I took Mum’s maiden name,” Alison explained, cool as ever. “I wanted to make it on my own merit, not under our father’s shadow.” She paused. “As for the hair—well, I take after our mother. Lucky me.”

Cassie’s eyes flicked back to me. “And you had no problem keeping the family name?”

I shrugged. “We look too alike for it to matter. But people don’t know me because of my father. They know me because I’m damn good at what I do.” I flashed a grin. “Unmatched, remember?”

But the grin didn’t stick. The thought of my father crept in, tightening something in my chest. “Not like he ever gave a crap about me anyway. His name means nothing.”

A hand on my shoulders pulled me out of my reverie. Alison smiled sympathetically. My eyes shifted towards Cassie to find her studying us.

I cleared my throat awkwardly. “Right.”

“I know we've been around each other before, but we haven't officially been introduced, have we?” The question was directed to Cassie. “I'm Alison Rivers, the troublesome one here is my baby brother.” 

I glanced at Cassie, not sure how she’d respond.

“Cassie Monroe,” she said smoothly. “It’s lovely to meet you.”

I released a breath I didn't know I was holding. 

She regarded Cassie with a gaze filled with scrutiny. “Correct me if I'm wrong, but weren't you dating Otto?”

I snapped my gaze up. The sound of a gasp had me turning my head to face Cassie. She looked furious.

I winced. Crap. “I didn't tell her anything, I promise.” I said quickly.

After a brief silence, Cassie nodded once, conveying that she believed me.

Alison crossed her arms. “So you knew?” she asked me.

“Of course I knew,” I said, frowning. “Did you think I was out here getting played?” She didn’t respond, just gave that mysterious shrug she was famous for. “How’d you find out?”

Alison smirked. “I’m student body president, Ledger. It’s literally my job to know things.”

She looked between Cassie and me. “So. What is this?”

I tensed. She was fishing, but not to expose us. Her gaze settled on me. “I'm guessing she's the reason you changed your mind about social events. Why?”

I crossed my arms. Alison was very protective of me. Of everyone in the family, she was the one who had truly been there for me. Her protective instincts could either encourage her to help us or encourage her to work against Cassie. “Do you really want to know?”

She looked unimpressed. “I asked, didn't I?”

I sighed. “Fine.”

Then I went on to reveal everything that had happened so far.

Alison looked disappointed. “So, that's it?”

“What do you mean by that?” Cassie questioned, annoyed. 

Alison’s gaze remained passive. “I mean, all of this for some petty revenge?” She turned to me. “And you’re letting her drag you into it? Ledger, this isn’t high school.”

“Jeez. Show a little more sympathy, sis.” I chided gently. Though I knew that the fact that she wasn't raising her voice didn't mean that she wasn't concerned about my involvement in this.

“Please… is she seriously saying she didn't know that Otto was cheating on her?” Alison accused. “It was pretty obvious.”