The Spider Queen

(Hydra Star System- Planet Eleron)

(Zrudread University- Main Campus)

"So as I was saying… the prince is clearly the best love interest for the imperial tutor. He is patient, kind and understanding," Astrid spoke seriously.

"No. Way. Listen the prince is clearly the second male lead… he doesn't have a chance and besides… he is the freaking prince!" Qiana rebutted with her hands on her hips.

"The kingdom obviously needs a heir and more than likely he is going to end up with a political marriage."

"I'd rather Henry end up with that handsome outlaw."

"Oliver the 'Red' bandit? Are you nuts? That guy is a psychopath… just because he has the most spicy scenes in the book doesn't mean that…" Astrid opened her mouth and continued to argue.

"You guys have the weirdest couple arguments," Sophie remarked casually as she played with Cleo's palm.

"Listen this is a very serious matter," Astrid replied to her comment with a stern glint in her eyes.

"Yes… it is a matter that has divided the fandom!" Qiana backed up her girlfriend with fighting words.

Sophie laughed softly and enjoyed the cool breeze that brushed against her face. The students chosen for the Inter University tournament had returned a few days ago.

She was glad to hang out with Astrid and Qiana again because she had missed her two friends during their time apart.

Astrid for the most part had been her usual cheerful self so Sophie knew that she had not taken that loss to heart.

Qiana on the other hand…

She was comfortable telling her friends that she felt very disappointed to not win the entire thing after beating the representative from Atlas University.

"So… what's the plan for this weekend? Beach? Want to see a movie?" Astrid asked happily with her tail wagging furiously from side to side.

"Hmm… a movie seems nice. I'm feeling pretty lazy so why don't you all come over to our place and I can make some popcorn," Cleo suggested calmly.

"There is this movie that I've been meaning to watch called 'The Road To Scorne'. It's about a team of pioneers exploring a lost civilisation on an abandoned planet."

"Of course things go wrong and they stumble across a hostile alien species… it's supposed to be based on a true story."

"That's what they all say," Sophie replied with a wink.

Having her friends back really made her feel… normal.

They treated her the same even though she was now the duchess of House Peterlor.

And of course, this was in contrast to the other students. The Mendolesa and Servies acted relatively the same… well maybe they stared a bit more but that was it.

The humans and especially the nobles on the other hand had completely different reactions.

Sophie had received a flood of invitations to different gatherings and societies.

People looking to latch on to her political power and make her an ally to their houses or families.

It was all so… tiresome.

How did her dad play this political game? Sophie was tired of people approaching her with smiling faces and verbal knives hidden in their words.

The four girls walked together for a few more minutes before splitting off and heading towards various locations around campus.

Astrid headed for the mage tower, Qiana wanted to get some practice done in the training field and Cleo had classes in the mech building.

Sophie checked her wrist communicator and saw that her first class of the day wasn't until three hours from now so she had some time to kill.

Hmm… what should I do?

There was enough time to head home and relax for an hour or so, but she wasn't in the mood to travel to her apartment and then back to the main campus.

Library? Cafeteria?

Oh wait… there was one building that she had not checked out before.

The Regal Theatre.

Despite their reputation for focusing heavily on cultivation and practical battle experiences, Zrudread University had their fair share of clubs and different student- led organisations.

One of those clubs was a drama club that would perform plays, musicals and other performances the old fashioned way without the use of AI holograms.

Sophie walked through the campus along a winding pathway surrounded by small bushes and colourful flowers that brightened up her mood.

A sweet sugary scent came from the centre of the petals and Sophie's sharp eyes could see tiny insects buzzing around the flowers.

She knew that these insects were hoping to get a taste of the sweet nectar that lay inside the flowers.

The hybrid girl walked for around fifteen minutes before she finally arrived at her destination.

The Regal Theatre was aptly named.

An intricate iron fence surrounded the building and horrific monsters carved out from granite and stone had been placed on top of the fence at regular intervals.

These monsters resembled the gargoyles in Sui Meng's memories. Vaguely humanoid creatures with long devilish wings sprouting out from their backs.

The building's exterior had been carved out of a white clay-like material and its shape resembled that of a miniature palace.

The roof of the theatre was a deep purple colour that somehow matched the white exterior and made the building have a child-like charm.

Sophie walked over to the fence and saw a person-sized gap for one to enter. She stepped inside and then headed for the entrance to the building.

The door was wide open and she could see a long and winding corridor leading further inside the theatre.

The hybrid girl looked around and saw numerous paintings hanging on the wall depicting past performances.

The cast and crew in the pictures had wide smiles on their faces and everyone seemed to be in a good mood.

Sophie walked towards the end of the corridor and then opened the door that led an unknown area.

She was immediately blinded by a bright flash of white light as the door swung open. Sophie blinked twice and the scenery behind the door was finally revealed.

A large hall with numerous rows of chairs arranged in a semi-circular formation and a long balcony that circled the entire space.

The roof of the hall had been covered in a magnificent painting that displayed angel-like creatures stretching out their hands.

The source of the light came from the spotlight that was currently being adjusted by a Servie girl who hummed softly to herself.

On the stage there were seven students all currently practising for an upcoming play.

They wore colourful tribal costumes and one of them was even holding a wooden spear complete with a sharp jagged blade attached to its end.

Sophie sat down in one of the empty seats and was pleasantly surprised to discover that it was made from a memory-foam material.

She leaned forward and watched the performance on the stage with a curious glint in her eyes.

"My love… you have abandoned me for another!" the student holding spear cried out as he fell to the ground holding his heart.

A female student dressed in pieces of loose fur knelt down over the body of the crying man and lightly touched his shoulder.

"Hendrix… you know my father would never approve," the female student tearfully pleaded as she blinked back the unshed tears.

"But I have a plan…"