Malvina's eyes, wide and round, blinked in surprise. "For me?"
Today wasn't Valentine's Day or April Fool's, right?
Or had she suddenly become so breathtaking that someone could overlook her unwashed hair of three days and the bandages wrapping her arms?
Damn, her charm was always so enchanting.
Malvina’s confusion deepened when she received a second rose. "Is my face really that pretty they can ignore the burn scars on my legs?"
Noella, barely holding back a chuckle, said, "Who knows? Maybe?"
"But they wouldn't give them just to me and not you! You're way prettier than me!"
Malvina was puzzled, but the boy who gave her the flowers just walked away without a word.
This wasn't the usual flirting she was used to!
Malvina was ready to whip out her phone, but the guy just smiled and walked off!
Staring at the roses in her hand, Malvina couldn't figure out what was happening.
But as she walked on, she found herself holding more and more roses!
"What's going on here?" Malvina exclaimed in astonishment.
"Noella, darling, your college is one of the top institutions in Imperial City; there can't possibly be a scam going on, right?"
Noella couldn't help but laugh.
"Theoretically, a scam wouldn't involve such expensive roses. These seem like high-grade desert roses."
The roses, which grew solely in the desert, each bloomed amid thorns, exuding a vibrant and passionate essence, their lives soaring with vitality!
"Could this be some kind of charity then?"
"Who uses red roses for charity?"
With every few steps they walked, a student would hand Malvina a rose.
Noella's phone buzzed with a message from Ulrich.
[Noella, bring Malvina to the small woodland by the library entrance.]
The library's woodland at Imperial University was a sight to behold this season, a breathtaking scene at every turn as if wandering through an enchanted garden.
Noella understood then; these roses must all be from Ulrich, intended for Malvina.
Noella grabbed Malvina's wrist and headed towards the library.
"Eh? Weren't we heading home? You got more classes?"
"Just remembered I need to borrow a book. Come with me."
"Sure, got nothing else planned today."
Malvina had come to see Noella because of Ulrich's whims and
was shocked to find her darling Noella isolated in class!
Though Noella didn't care for such matters, Malvina couldn't stand by idly.
The nerve!
Picking on her only friend, Malvina was ready to fight back, sweep away the naysayers, and stand up for Noella!
Holding Noella's hand tightly, Malvina declared, "If anyone dares to mess with you, just let me know! I'm an expert at dealing with these mean girls!"
"No need, they can't really hurt me."
"That won't do. My darling Noella can't suffer even a bit!"
Noella was left a bit speechless.
Malvina was content as they walked closer together.
Protecting Noella made Malvina feel needed, a sensation she cherished over just being the one always shielded.
Being protected was nice, but friendship was about give and take, mutual support.
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