Charlotte’s POV
I hit the ground hard, landing on my butt as the slap rang out, echoing off the walls of the alley beside one of the academy buildings.
“You’re nothing now, so why the hell are you still strutting around like you’re all high and mighty?” one of the girls demanded, her face twisted with contempt as she towered over me. “Why don’t you just slink into a corner and keep your face hidden, like the trash you’ve become?”
“She’s still clinging to the illusion of power and status that she no longer has,” another girl scoffed, her voice dripping with disdain. “Just look at her. She still can’t grasp that she’s a useless nobody now.”
“She’s right. And she’s still running to Professor Sesillian for help, like she’s some fucking damsel in distress. Still trying to play the princess she no longer is. I can’t believe her audacity,” another one sneered, her words dripping with venom.
These three were the same girls who had clung to me throughout my first year at the academy, back when my family’s name still commanded respect. They were the daughters of viscounts who had sworn allegiance to my father when he was a Duke. But the tides turned, and their families abandoned mine. And with that, their loyalty to me crumbled too. I always knew they were only with me because of my status, but I figured it was fine since their own ranks made them useful allies. What I hadn’t considered was what would happen if I lost that status. And now, here we were—me on the ground, with them standing over me.
Now, I was nothing but a pitiful figure lying beneath them.
“Do yourself a favor and stay out of our sight from now on. I can’t believe I actually touched the face of a commoner,” the girl who slapped me said with a scornful look, her voice dripping with disdain as she turned and strutted away.
“We can’t do much else but push her around. I mean, we can’t slap her if we don’t, right? Besides, it’s the only way to show her how much she’s fallen,” one of the others chimed in, her voice cold as they all walked off together.
Once they were gone, the dam finally broke. My tears erupted, fat drops spilling down my cheeks and splattering on the grass. I clutched at the earth with desperate hands, my sobs wracking through me as the raw, stinging pain of my humiliation and despair washed over me.
I couldn’t believe how far I had fallen. My life wasn’t supposed to end up like this.
I fished out my smartphone—the only thing of value I had left—and scrolled through my contacts. My fingers moved with a mix of desperation and hope until I found the name I needed.
It was Leon. But just as I was about to hit call, my phone buzzed with an incoming call.
The caller ID showed Professor Sesillian.
I didn’t hesitate and answered the call immediately.
“Hello, Professor?” I said, struggling to keep my voice steady and hide the fact that I had been crying.
“…Is something wrong?” he asked, concern evident in his tone.
I knew I had failed.
“N-No, nothing’s wrong,” I managed to say.
“You sound like you’ve been crying. Where are you right now?”
“Um, I’m still at the academy,” I told him. “A-Are you coming to get me?”
“You sound like you need help,” he said. “I’m on my way to find you.”
“O-Okay…” I said, my emotions crashing back over me as I sniffled.
I gave him my location.
***
I was huddled in the corner, waiting for Professor Sesillian. I hugged my knees tightly, burying my face in them and sniffling uncontrollably.
After a while, I heard footsteps approaching. I looked up and saw Professor Sesillian. His face was etched with concern, his eyes scanning me with a depth of worry that cut through my distress.
“Charlotte,” he said softly.
Seeing him again overwhelmed me with emotions I couldn’t contain. His silver hair, his glasses, the way his eyes, sharp with intelligence, took in my misery—it all brought a rush of longing and relief.
I stood up and threw my arms around him, letting all my pent-up feelings pour out. I cried fiercely, soaking his chest with my tears. Professor Sesillian simply rubbed my back, offering quiet comfort as I wept into his clothes.
“It’s okay. Just let it all out. It must have been so hard for you,” he murmured, his voice steady and soothing.
“It was really hard, Professor! I…!” My words were lost in the torrent of my sobs.
I continued to cry, each tear a painful reminder of everything I’d endured. My world had shattered—my family’s prestige was gone, my parents had fallen apart, I was sold into a life of sex slavery, forced to submit to someone’s will, and then my father had died. It all felt like a nightmare I couldn’t escape, each betrayal cutting deeper than the last. Friends who once seemed loyal had turned their backs on me, leaving me to grapple with the crushing weight of isolation.
“You’re the only one I have left, Professor… Please don’t leave me too,” I pleaded, my voice breaking as I clung to him.
Professor Sesillian continued to rub my back gently, his touch a balm against the storm of my emotions. “Yes, I promise I won’t leave you,” he said.
The emotions I felt for him, the love I harbored, were blooming uncontrollably. At this moment, I couldn’t hold back any longer. Even if I had to face the consequences of my actions, right now, all I wanted was to feel his love. I wanted to be touched by him, to be enveloped in his scent, to be filled by him.
I looked up at him, my tears streaking down my face, making it a mess. I knew I didn’t look beautiful right now, but surely, he would still accept me, right?
“Professor, I want to sleep with you,” I said.
