Chapter 44: The Red Lounge

Otto pushed through the double doors of the Red Lounge, with Preston and Ambrose trailing right behind him. Unlike the ordinary House common areas, the lounge was an exclusive space reserved strictly for the academy’s elite, where sub-royals and high-ranking students gathered to socialize, host private celebrations, or simply enjoy the comfort and privilege that came with their status. The moment anyone stepped inside, they immediately understood that this was not a place meant for ordinary students.

Otto could count on one hand how many times he had been privileged to step inside, and every single one of those visits had been because Beatrice invited him. Even though the area was reserved exclusively for sub-royals and the academy’s highest-ranking students, Otto had never actually met any of them during those visits. It was always just Beatrice. At this point, he was convinced she had practically turned the place into her personal hangout, or maybe none of them wanted to share the same space with her. If he was being honest, he wouldn’t want to breathe the same air as that insufferable princess either, if he didn’t want something from her.

The lounge looked less like a common room and more like a high-end private retreat. Soft red lighting washed over every surface, bathing the entire space in a warm glow that softened sharp edges and gave the room an almost otherworldly atmosphere. Hidden lighting panels shimmered across the ceiling, casting a gentle radiance downward, while crystal fixtures sparkled faintly overhead whenever someone moved beneath them. Long black curtains draped from floor to ceiling, dividing the lounge into elegant semi-private sections. The fabric hung from tall columns and gathered neatly at intervals, creating intimate alcoves where students could relax away from prying eyes. Between the curtains stood sleek white sofas arranged in curved formations, their plush cushions practically inviting people to sink into them for hours. Decorative throw pillows in shades of crimson, silver, and black provided small bursts of color against the otherwise pristine furniture.

Along one side of the lounge stretched a fully stocked bar area illuminated by soft red backlighting. Glass shelves displayed rows of expensive beverages and sparkling crystal glasses that looked more decorative than practical. Sitting on one of the barstools was Maya, typing away on a tablet with the kind of concentration usually reserved for life-or-death situations. Otto had never seen that woman doing anything other than pressing buttons on some kind of device. Every time he encountered her, she was either typing furiously on her tablet, scrolling through her phone, answering messages, or staring at a screen as though the fate of the Empire depended on whatever was displayed there.

At the center of the lounge sat several rounded ottomans and low tables, their glossy surfaces reflecting the light above. Some of the tables glowed softly from within, shifting between shades of crimson and silver like captured moonlight trapped beneath glass. The effect gave the room a futuristic elegance that felt both luxurious and strangely enchanting.

Mounted on the far wall was a massive entertainment screen visible from every corner of the lounge. Behind it stretched an entire seating area lined with expensive couches, ensuring that even when the room was full, it never felt cramped. Beatrice was seated at the center of the largest couch, one leg crossed over the other, her expression dark enough to sour the atmosphere of the entire room. Even from a distance, Otto could tell she was in a terrible mood.

The walls themselves were finished in smooth white paneling that reflected the ambient glow, making the space appear even larger than it actually was. Nothing about the Red Lounge felt ordinary. Every detail, from the lighting to the secluded seating areas and glowing furniture, whispered wealth, status, and exclusivity. And no matter how many times Otto stepped into this room, he couldn’t deny that the academy had spared absolutely no expense in creating it.

"What are you standing around over there for? Come over here and sit down," Beatrice barked, her voice cutting sharply through the quiet hum of the lounge.

Otto cleared his throat, adjusting his posture as he flashed a lazy smile. "I’m sorry, Princess."

He stepped forward toward the massive white sofa where Beatrice sat isolated at the center, looking like a monarch holding court, then chose one of the sleek single armchairs positioned directly across from her low, glowing table and sank into it. Preston and Ambrose immediately moved to sit on the neighboring couches beside him, but before their buttocks could even touch the cushions, Beatrice snapped.

"What exactly do you two think you’re doing?" Her voice was cold and sharp, like a blade being dragged across stone. Both boys froze mid-motion, looking awkwardly between her dark expression and Otto’s confused one.

Beatrice turned her glare directly on Otto, her eyes narrowing. "I only asked for you. So why are you dragging these two useless shadows around with you? Can’t you go anywhere by yourself?"

"We’re just a package deal, Princess. Where I go, they follow." Otto replied with a casual shrug.

"How pathetic," Beatrice sneered. "You’re like an overgrown puppy that can’t function without its pack. Do they hold your hand when you cross the street too?" Otto simply ignored the insult.

"Well, they are not invited," Beatrice continued. "You were the only one invited into the Red Lounge, and those who are not invited are not even permitted to be inside, let alone taking a sit. They can wait outside until I’m done with you."

Otto scratched the back of his neck, glancing up. "Look, Princess, they can just—"

"I said they should step outside until I’m done with you!" she cut him off, her voice dropping into a dangerous, commanding register. "I don’t want to repeat myself again, Otto."

Silence stretched across the lounge for a second. Maya didn’t even bother looking up from her tablet. It was as if she existed in a completely different world from everyone else.

Otto looked between Beatrice’s unyielding gaze and his two friends and sighed. He offered them a slight, apologetic nod. Understanding, both boys nodded back with forced smiles and turned on their heels, quietly retreating toward the double doors. Once the heavy mahogany doors clicked shut behind them, he leaned back in his chair, slinging one arm over the armrest.

"Well," he said, exhaling. "Now you have me all to yourself. Eat me up if you want, Princess."

His lazy smirk returned in full force.