Chapter 53: Crown Still Fits
The apartment door clicked shut behind us, and before I could even kick my shoes off, Celestia dropped her bag on the couch like she owned the place and flopped right next to it, stretching out like a cat.
"You didn’t get me ice cream," she said, deadpan.
"You don’t even like ice cream that much," I countered, setting my keys on the counter.
She lifted her head with mock betrayal. "Excuse you? Ice cream is a universal love language. And if you loved me, you’d—"
"Val," I cut her off before she could start something ridiculous. "You only said that in class to mess with Prescott. Don’t even try to act like you actually wanted it."
Her lips twitched into a guilty grin. "...Maybe. But it worked, didn’t it?"
I sighed, sitting across from her. "That’s exactly what I wanted to talk about. Please, please don’t do anything crazy. She’s new, she’s loud, sure, but if you go after her like a shark—"
"I’m innocent," she interrupted, widening her eyes in the fakest angel expression I’d ever seen. "Look at me. Do I look like someone who does crazy things?"
"Yes."
Her innocent smile sharpened. "That’s slander."
"That’s the truth."
She rolled onto her stomach, propping her chin on her hands, kicking her legs lazily in the air. "You worry too much, husband. I was sweet. I smiled. I said hello. That’s very civil of me, considering..."
"Considering what?" I asked warily.
"Considering she’s basically a knockoff bag. Like those fake designer purses they sell at flea markets. Except this one talks too much and wears heels like she’s auditioning for Mean Girls 3."
I pinched the bridge of my nose. "Val..."
"What? Don’t give me that look, it’s true." She flipped her hair with a little toss that made the whole thing worse. "Besides, I’m being merciful. I could’ve said she’s one viral TikTok away from becoming ’that girl who tried too hard.’"
"Wow," I muttered. "Really low, Val. Even for you."
She smirked, pleased with herself. "Thank you."
"You’re not supposed to take that as a compliment."
"I’ll take it however I want. Perks of being me." She rolled over onto her back and stretched her arms over her head. "Anyway, enough about... what’s her name again? Right. That."
"You mean Avery."
"Shh," she pressed a finger to her lips. "We don’t say peasant names in this household."
I groaned, but she continued, already bored of the topic. "So! Did you know the neighbors got a dog? I saw it when I was sneaking around earlier. Cutest thing ever. I want one. Actually, no, two. We’ll name them Husband Junior and Valentina the Second. Thoughts?"
"Bad thoughts."
"You’re no fun," she huffed, swinging her legs off the couch. "Also, I’ve decided we need more plants in here. Your place is depressing. I’ll take you shopping this weekend. Don’t argue. I already made a Pinterest board."
"Do I get a say in this relationship?"
She tilted her head, pretending to think. "Hmm... no. Boyfriends don’t get opinions. You get to nod and agree with whatever I say."
I stared at her. "You really are unbelievable."
She beamed, sliding closer and resting her head against my shoulder like I hadn’t just been insulted into oblivion. "I know. Isn’t it fun?"
And somehow, despite myself, I found my lips curving into a smile.
---
By the time night settled in, she was sprawled across my bed like she’d already moved in. I stood by the doorway, arms crossed, watching her try her last trick of the day.
"Think about it," she said in that silky, coaxing tone that was pure trouble. "No parents, no bodyguards, just us... you, me, and some quality time." She patted the spot beside her like she was inviting me into a trap she’d already sealed shut.
"Val," I warned.
She rolled onto her side, giving me big doe eyes. "You’re impossible. Do you know how many people would kill to—"
"You didn’t bring anything to change into," I cut in, leaning on the frame. "You have class tomorrow morning. Unless you want to show up in yesterday’s clothes and start a scandal?"
For a second, her lips parted, and I knew I’d hit her weak spot. Then, because she was Celestia, she bounced right back with something worse.
"Ohhh. I get it." Her eyes narrowed in mock suspicion. "You don’t want me here because you’re secretly waiting to invite Avery over. That’s it, isn’t it?"
I groaned. "Really, Val? I thought you’d forgotten her name already."
Her grin faltered when I didn’t budge, and for once, the queen of chaos resorted to something softer. She sat up, pouting, puppy eyes shimmering under the dim light.
"Please?" she whispered.
I made the mistake of looking at her too long. Adorable didn’t even begin to cover it—she was lethal like that. I had to literally squeeze my eyes shut, turn my head, and force out the words, "Go home, Val."
She huffed, muttered something about how cruel I was, and eventually slipped off the bed with exaggerated dramatics, gathering her things. At the door, she glanced back with one last pout that nearly destroyed my resolve, then left with a flurry of perfume and indignation.
---
The next morning, the campus buzz felt different. Maybe it was because word of the "new blonde transfer" had spread overnight, or maybe it was because every student was waiting for what happened yesterday to escalate. Either way, when Celestia walked into the hallway with me at her side, the stares were already there, loud as whispers and muffled laughter.
She noticed. Of course she did. She tilted her chin, gave me that sly half-smile, and linked her arm through mine like she was parading a trophy.
And then, naturally, Avery appeared.
She was leaning against the lockers, blonde hair perfectly styled, uniform fitted like it was tailored to her exact measurements. When she saw us, her glossy lips curved into a smirk.
"Well, well," she drawled loud enough for people nearby to turn their heads. "The so-called queen herself. And her... nerd."
I blinked.
She was looking at me.
I wasn’t sure what was more shocking—that Avery had just used the word nerd like it was a slur, or that she thought it was an insult when Celestia had been calling me that since practically the day we met.
Before I could even react, Celestia laughed. Not her usual sharp, cutting laugh—the soft, indulgent one, like she was humoring a child.
"Oh, Avery, honey." She gave her a pitying smile, tilting her head. "You must be new here in more ways than one. See, you can’t just call him a nerd. That’s my thing."
The crowd turned with stifled snickers.
Avery’s brows furrowed. "Excuse me?"
Celestia’s arm tightened around mine. "Yeah. You don’t get to walk in and copy-paste my material. Try originality. It works better than reheated lines." She batted her lashes at me dramatically. "Isn’t that right, husband?"
I sighed. Then cue the laughs.
Avery’s cheeks colored, but she tried to recover with a toss of her hair. "So, that’s really your boyfriend? The great Celestia Valentina Moreau, the girl who walks around like she’s royalty, dating... him?" She gave me a once-over, clearly trying to stir the crowd. "I mean, no offense, but isn’t that a downgrade?"
A hush fell for a moment. People leaned in.
And then Celestia’s eyes sparkled in that terrifying way they do when she’s about to dismantle someone for sport.
"Oh, sweetie." She stepped slightly forward, still holding my arm, her voice warm but razor-edged. "First mistake—you just insulted my boyfriend to my face. Bold, but stupid. Second mistake—you actually thought I’d care what you think about him, when all of you," she gestured lazily at the circle of students watching, "are literally watching me call him husband every other sentence."
Snickers turned to open laughter this time.
Avery bristled, her nails tapping against her arm. "You don’t have to—"
Celestia cut her off smoothly, her voice turning silk over steel.
"Third mistake—and this one’s embarrassing—you assumed I picked him like he was some accessory. Prescott, I don’t need someone to make me look good. I chose him because he already is. Smarter than you, calmer than you, and definitely more mine than you’ll ever understand."
She leaned her head on my shoulder, eyes glinting. "So here’s your reality check: standing next to him doesn’t make me shine—he shines, and I like being the only one close enough to see it."
The hallway fell quiet for a beat, then shifted—not into laughter, but into something heavier. A low ripple of awe spread through the crowd. A few students actually sighed, some exchanged wide-eyed looks, and one girl whispered, "God, that’s so romantic."
It wasn’t mocking. It wasn’t cruel. It was the kind of silence that came when everyone realized they’d just witnessed something untouchable.
And Avery hated it.
Avery finally straightened, her voice sharp. "You think you’re clever, but all I see is someone hiding behind a guy to feel superior."
Celestia perked up at that. "Oh, thank you! That’s the nicest thing you’ve said so far." She winked. "Because I do hide behind him sometimes. It’s called being in a relationship. Look it up."
Another wave of laughter.
The look on Avery’s face was priceless—caught between fury and disbelief that she wasn’t winning this exchange. Her reputation for being the center of attention was slipping right through her fingers, and Celestia... well, Celestia didn’t even break a sweat.
"Come on, husband," Val finally said sweetly, tugging me away. "We’ve already wasted enough time proving I’m not dethronable."
I had no idea how she said things like that with a straight face, but as we walked, I caught Avery’s reflection in the glass window—her jaw tight, her eyes narrowed, her pride bleeding out right there in the hallway.
And I knew one thing for sure: this wasn’t over.
Not by a long shot.
---
To be continued...