The Evil Emperor's Fragile Heart

A few days later, the entire campus of IMARI was abuzz with the news of a new beauty appearing in the institute.

"Heavens! She's so beautiful! Is she a student?"

"She must be – they won't allow in anyone who didn't qualify for the entrance test no matter how good-looking they are…"

"A beauty with brains…or a brainiac with beauty…either way, I'm so envious!"

"She must be from the Sapphire Kingdom, right? With that hair and eyes…?"

"I wonder if Professor Bella knows her…?"

"Maybe she's a princess or a noble lady? Look at how graceful she is!"

The clamour was endless.

The mysterious beauty walked to Headmistress Ana's office under the curious eyes of everyone. Headmistress Ana, who was chatting leisurely with Jules, Raven and Mana, froze when the beauty entered her office and closed the door behind her.

"Bella?!" she cried incredulously. "Is that really you?"

Jules, Mana and Raven turned around immediately and felt their jaws hit the floor. Mana was the first one to recover. She rushed over to the new version of Professor Bella and hugged her impulsively.

Mana was very satisfied with Professor Bella's new look. She had dragged the older girl for a shopping trip over the weekend, and she'd refused to take Jules or Raven or Fox along, claiming it was a girls' bonding thing and the boys would only be in their way! The boys had resorted to a dirty trick and used Azar's innocent eyed look to get the two girls to relent – and ultimately, Mana and Bella had spent the morning shopping by themselves, and then joined the boys for lunch. After that, the five of them, accompanied by a little dragon, had gone to watch a drama. There were no movies in this world yet, Mana thought ruefully, but old-style theatre wasn't bad, either. It had been a particularly enjoyable weekend.

While Mana hadn't expected Professor Bella to take action so soon, she was very pleased with the results. Even in her original world, Mana had always been one of the best dressed persons at her office, and had classy taste when it came to outfits. Here, in this world, now that she wasn't required to limit herself to sober, pastel shades to keep up with a 'law firm' look, and with a beauty like Professor Bella at her disposal, Mana could happily let her fashion ideas loose. She had made Bella try several outfits on their shopping expedition, and realised that Bella herself had really good taste when it came to clothes, too. It was just that she had used her brains to hide herself away earlier, while now, she could use it to her advantage. The two girls had bought over two dozen outfits and a small mountain of accessories. Mana had enquired curiously when Professor Bella would be trying out her new clothes in public, but hadn't received a response, so she didn't press the issue. Bella would come out of her shell when she was ready; it was good enough that she was buying a new wardrobe now.

But Professor Bella had given her a wonderful surprise so soon!

"You're absolutely gorgeous, Professor Bella!" Mana said, releasing her from the hug and looking up at her with eyes glowing with admiration. "So brilliant and so beautiful! You're amazing!"

"Mana is right," Headmistress Ana said. "How come I never knew there was such a beauty right under my nose here at IMARI?"

Professor Bella flushed under the praise from the two ladies. "Mana took me shopping over the weekend," she told Headmistress Ana shyly.

Headmistress Ana was pleasantly surprised. Bella had always avoided social gatherings and events…and while she was courteous to everyone, she was also very aloof. She never made a close friend, and over the years, Headmistress Ana had witnessed her refusing all invitations to go out for shopping, meals, performances – everything. Other than visiting her mother every three months, Bella spent all her time working at IMARI and had no social life whatsoever. And now, this little princess was able to get her to go on a shopping trip? And even convince her to change out of her horrible, drab clothes?! How amazing was that!

Headmistress Ana was well aware of the growing friendship between Professor Bella and Crown Prince Jules, Prince Raven, Princess Mana and Fox – and she knew that they were collaborating on a research project that they were stubbornly silent about. The five of them had been shutting themselves up in one of the laboratories almost everyday to run experiments. Headmistress Ana had been quite curious about their project, was she was also happy that Bella had finally opened up enough to make friends. Perhaps, in the past, there hadn't been people clever enough to match her brilliance, causing her to remain polite and distant. But now that she had met these youngsters who could easily match her intellect, she was stepping out of the walls she had built around herself.

Mana and Bella chatted for a few minutes about their weekend activities, and Headmistress Ana was even more shocked. Was this really the Bella she knew? The severe little kid who had behaved with the solemnity of a seventy-year-old when she was all of seven herself?! Not only had she gone out for a weekend of fun with a bunch of friends, she was also making plans to go out again?!

Seeing the girls engrossed in discussing plans for another shopping trip without the boys, Raven hurried to Mana's side to nip it in the bud. "Congratulations, Professor Bella," he said sincerely. "It is very courageous of you to take such a big and bold step so soon. As Mana said, you're amazing!"

Professor Bella felt her heart soften as she looked at the two younger kids. She didn't have any siblings, but looking at Mana and Raven, she felt, for the first time in her life, that it wouldn't be too bad to have a little sister or a little brother like these two. She reached out and patted both of them on their heads affectionately. A twinge of envy towards Jules, who was the much beloved Big Brother of these two smart and adorable kids, reared up in her mind before she firmly quashed it. She had made friends for the first time in her life, and she shouldn't be too greedy. It was bad enough that she could detect the seeds of something more than ordinary friendship sprouting in heart towards Jules. Bella might be a novice in matters of romance, but she wasn't an idiot or oblivious to her own emotions. She was also aware that Jules cared for her very much…but she wasn't sure yet if it fell into the same category as herself.

If Mana knew what Bella was thinking, she'd have rolled her eyes and pushed the older girl into her Big Brother's arms and tied them together until they confessed to each other! Fortunately or unfortunately, Bella was used to maintaining an impassive face, unlike Jules, and it was difficult for anyone to figure out what she was thinking or feeling under that indifferent and dignified bearing she exposed to the world.

Jules, who had been staring unblinkingly at Professor Bella till now, finally regained his senses.

Professor Bella blushed delicately when she saw Jules walking towards her in a daze.

Mana nudged Raven with her elbow and winked at him. Raven shook his head fondly, indicating that she shouldn't do anything right now. While Raven agreed whole-heartedly with Mana that Big Brother and Professor Bella were a match made in heaven, he didn't want to push them into a relationship. It was best to let them progress on their own.

Mana pouted and thought it was a pity Azar had decided to go to court with his beloved Grandpapa today instead of accompanying them to IMARI. The little dragon, in all his innocence, would have definitely made some remark about his Uncle Jules and Auntie Bella!

Mana and Raven stepped back, letting Jules get closer to Bella. Headmistress Ana also retreated involuntarily – and suddenly realised that the air around Jules and Bella was very similar to what she'd seen around Jaren and Dora back in the old days!

Headmistress Ana smiled. She liked Bella very much, and she had come to appreciate Jules as well. They would make an excellent pair. She wondered if she should have a chat with King Jaren separately…but ultimately, decided not to interfere in the youngsters' matters unless required. These children were smart, after all, and they could figure out their own path.

Jules and Bella talked softly for a few moments in a hushed whisper, and the others couldn't hear a word of what they were saying to each other. While curious, none of them were ill-mannered enough to eavesdrop on the two teenagers.. They were content to wait by the side patiently and wait for them to finish, thinking that Jules and Mana made a very attractive couple.