The Serpent Prince

My childhood sweetheart thought I was a coward, so for my eighteenth birthday, he gave me a snake.

As I screamed, about to hurl the creature away, a stream of ghostly text flickered into view before my eyes.

The villain holds a grudge against the side character for throwing him away. Hes going to eat everyone here alive, except for the main couple. This poor girl is so screwed.

But our girl Mia will catch the snake with her bare hands and win the heros heart!~

A sweet girl who isnt afraid of snakes! The villain will even give her mansions and money!

My childhood friend, Joe, smirked. Still scared, Leah? If you are, Ill just kill it.

I saw the cold glint in the snakes eyes. Fighting back tears, I clutched it to my chest.

How did you know I love snakes? Its so cute! Look at its big eyes and white fangs!

Let go, you idiot, dont bite me!

A sharp pain lanced through my finger.

Tears welled in my eyes as the little black snake in my hands stared at me coldly. A few of its scales had been torn from its tail, revealing raw flesh beneath.

Leah, are you okay? Why did that thing bite you?

Joe started to rush over, but a hand caught his arm.

It was the new transfer student, Mia.

Joe, snakes are actually very gentle, she said, her voice soft but chiding. She just scared it. A girl like her, so timid and screaming like that its cruel to the animal. Its not right.

She added, Let me handle it.

Joe, who usually only listened to me, actually stopped. His eyes, now filled with curiosity, turned to Mia.

Curiosity is the spark that lights the fuse of love.

Joe had been the resident hell-raiser, the king of our school, for as long as I could remember. I was the only onehis childhood friendwho could ever rein him in.

But then Mia arrived.

On her very first day, shed scolded Joe for trying to carry a stack of new textbooks for me.

Are you looking down on girls, Joe? shed challenged.

And to my shock, hed actually listened to her and let go.

The thirty-pound stack of books sent me stumbling forward. I hit the ground hard, splitting my forehead open. It took three stitches to close.

Afterward, Joe brought Mia to the hospital to apologize.

She held her head high, her tone more annoyed than sorry.

Im sorry, she said. I just didnt realize girls here were so weak. I can carry my own books just fine. Back home, I used to haul fifty-pound loads of wood up the mountain in one go.

A flash of pity crossed Joes face as he looked at her. Really? Tell me about it, he asked, intrigued.

They sat there on the hospital windowsill, Joe completely captivated as Mia recounted tales of her harrowing childhood and the arduous journey shed taken just to get an education.

When Mia smiled, Joes ears turned bright red.

A knot of dread tightened in my stomach. I wanted to stop it, to say something, but the gears of fate were already turning, grinding over me without so much as a warning.

My childhood sweetheart was falling for someone else.

Lost in my thoughts, I didn't notice Mia approaching until she was right in front of me, reaching for the snake.

The ghostly comments exploded with delight.

The iconic scene! The heroine tames the snake, a master of disguise! The hero is about to fall completely for her. Countdown to the side character getting eaten.

Does anyone else ship the villain and the heroine? But he's a cold-blooded animal, an unfeeling monster incapable of love. Our girl is gonna be the delicious filling in a badass sandwich!

Yesss! She saves the villain from the cowardly side character, and from that moment on, he hates the girl who rejected him! He still eats her in the end. A strong, sweet heroine and a reckless heroits all fluff from here on out!!

So, did anyone care if I lived or died?

My hand trembled as I tightened my grip on the black snake.

This snake, I declared, is mine now.

Mias face fell at my rejection. Joe scowled at me, his expression hardening with disapproval.

What are you doing? Mias trying to help, so why are you still putting on this tough act? Your hands are shaking.

The comments section was also spewing hate.

WTF lady, do you even know how to care for a snake?? Why are you stealing the heroine's spotlight?

Villain, please just eat this woman now! This was supposed to be my baby girl's iconic moment!

Lol, this side character knows jack-shit about taming snakes. All our girl has to do is give him a little pat and the villain would have surrendered.

Who couldnt give a little pat?

I gave the black snake a firm rub. I was, after all, a woman who could demolish a stress toy in a single day.

It went completely still, stiff as a rod in my hand.

Oh my god.

Am I a genius snake-tamer?

??? WTF, you psycho! What are you doing grabbing his little snake junk?!

Well, that settles it. This side character is dead. Lighting a candle for her now.

My eyes darted down to the slight bulge under my palm.

It was that small?

I thought it was just a pimple.

As if sensing my doubt, the black snake whipped its tail, slapping me across the face. From its tiny, bead-like eyes, I saw a look of pure, murderous humiliation.

Across from me, Mia looked like she was about to cry.

Joe, please, make her stop pretending! Shes so scared, shes gripping the poor thing so tightly! What if she crushes it?

Joe surged forward, grabbing my hand and prying my fingers open one by one, trying to take the snake away.

I wouldnt budge.

He looked at me, confused.

Youve been terrified of snakes since we were kids. The sight of one used to make you burst into tears. Why arent you scared today?

He was right.

He knew I was terrified of snakes, yet he still stuffed one into my most anticipated gift on my eighteenth birthday.

When it sprang onto my face, I had screamed.

Our guests had fled in a panic.

My eighteenth birthday party was already a complete disaster, thanks to them.

I shoved Joe away, a hot surge of anger rising in me. I tucked the black snake into the folds of my dress.

Go on, try and take it now. You and Mia ruined my birthday, and now you give me a gift only to try and take it back? The world doesn't work that way. You can't be a saint and a sinner at the same time.

Joes brow furrowed, a dangerous glint in his eyes.

Mia heard you were afraid of snakes, so she wanted to help you overcome your fear. How can you twist our good intentions like this?

Mias eyes reddened with hurt.

Joe, you dont have to defend me, she said, her voice trembling. A lot of girls are like this. They pretend they cant open a bottle when they can, fake a fall when they can carry their own books, and now, they pretend to be brave around snakes theyre terrified of. Its all to get attention from boys.

She sniffed. I dont like playing these feminine games. I just wanted to speak the truth, even if it makes her hate me.

She grabbed her bag and turned to leave.

Joe instinctively moved to follow her.

The moment they were out the door, I slammed it shut and threw the deadbolt.

Joes fist pounded on the door. Leah! Wait, Ill be back to explain! I just I cant stand to see a girl cry. Im going to check on Mia.

But I wasnt waiting.

In one breath, I deleted his face ID and fingerprint from my door lock.

Sliding down against the door, I wiped away my tears while pulling out my phone, blocking him on every social media app. The pain of severing an eighteen-year bond was a long, throbbing ache.

Something warm was coiling around my leg.

Ah!

I pulled the now-unconscious snake from my dress. Its scales were burning hot, as if it had a fever.

Maybe I should just let it burn to death?

Just get rid of the villain who was supposedly going to eat me.

A flicker of excitement sparked in me. I crept over to the trash can, snake in hand, ready to toss it.

But then the comments scrolled by again.

OMG, I knew this side character was evil! The snake is so cute! If this was our heroine, shed be cooing over it, but this witch is just going to throw it away?!

And so the villainous heir dies on a side characters doorstep tonight. He was so close to being found by the Thorne family!

Silas, oh Silas. Maybe youll be born human in your next life.

My hand froze.

The snake was the missing heir of the Thorne family?

Silas Thorne, the one who was set to inherit the multi-billion-dollar Thorne Industries upon graduation?

Why didnt you say so earlier!

I immediately rushed back to my room, tucked the snake into my softest, most fragrant blankets, and piled ice packs around it. Then I raced to the 24-hour veterinary hospital.

Once the little black snakes temperature stabilized, the vet gave me a stern lecture. This snake is in season. You should probably get him a female companion. He nearly well, he nearly burst back there.

I nodded profusely.

Right. Female snakes. Ordering ten of them right now.

Back home, I leaned over the snake, still groggy from the anesthetic, and began my hypnosis.

Snakey, snakey, you will love and respect Leah Scott with all your heart.

In the future, you will give Leah Scott countless sums of money. Understand? Yes, you understand.

The black snakes eyes were open, a strange light glinting within them.

I talked until I was exhausted, finally collapsing into bed in the middle of the night.

When I woke up, the snake was gone.

I tore my room apart, but he hadnt even left behind a black card.

And one of my shirts was missing.

Seriously.

A little stingy for an heir, arent you?

I dragged myself to school, exhausted. My deskmate poked me, pointing towards Joes seat.

Did you hear? Your boy-next-door requested to be in a study group with Mia.

They could get a marriage license for all I care. Were done.

Id been up all night with the snake and had a fresh mosquito bite on my hand. I asked my deskmate for some ointment.

But my gaze drifted involuntarily to Joes desk.

He had his breakfast container open, carefully picking out the things Mia didnt like.

A dull ache pulsed in my chest, a constant reminder of how much this still hurt. Joe used to bring me a specially made, healthy grain-based breakfast. Hed be there when I arrived, ready to grab my homework to turn in. The reckless young master of the Preston family, who always chose me first for every school trip, every field study, every event.

If I had never been his favorite, this wouldnt be so painful.

Noticing my stare, Joe walked over to my desk, his eyes narrowed.

Mia was right. Youre just jealous that Im taking care of her, so youre pretending to be done with me, arent you?

He leaned in. You should know that wont work on me.

I just nodded vaguely.

He was right. Joe Preston was handsome, his family was influentialall sorts of people threw themselves at him, and he never even batted an eye.

The comments had already told me my fate. I was just the childhood friend in a campus romance novel. The side character who, after the arrogant young master meets the unique and different Mia, would go crazy with jealousy, spiral into self-destruction, and ruin her own future.

Joe would get into fights for Mia, tie her shoes for her, and bow his head for her time and time again.

Who wouldnt be hurt and angry?

In the end, I was destined to be a meal for the villainous snake.

But I refused to accept that ending.

I quietly looked up Silas Thornes address, planning to send him a thank-you gift.

During class, the teacher announced the study group pairings for an upcoming activity.

My deskmate pressed her palms together apologetically.

Leah, check the group chat. There are 41 of us in the class. Joe paired everyone up. Youre the only one left.

I glanced at Joe. He had his legs crossed, leaning over to explain a problem to Mia.

The teacher on the podium looked at the list, then at me with a strange expression.

Leah Scott, how did you end up by yourself?

Well, as it happens, we have a new transfer student joining us today. Leah, could you please take care of our new classmate?

Whispers erupted in the class group chat.

A well-connected classmate messaged, Leah, the new guy is Silas Thorne! The one from the Thorne family whos been homeschooled this whole time!

Hes crazy rich, but hes a total recluse. Maybe you should try asking Joe nicely? The three of you could team up, or you could get Mia to go with him.

Before I could finish reading, Joe snatched a water bottle and hurled it at the student who sent the last message.

The boy clutched his forehead, not daring to speak.

Joe cracked his knuckles, his tone arrogant. Anyone who even thinks about bothering Mia, watch out. Im her partner. There is no third person.

The class, however, was sneakily looking at me.

The last time someone had bad-mouthed me, Joe had cracked their head open and was grounded for two weeks.

But this time, Joe had chosen Mia. He didnt want me anymore.

The day of the group activity arrived. My deskmate had long since joined her partner.

I sat alone.

Joe and Mia were already racking up points. As they walked past my desk, he deliberately knocked my things to the floor.

He stepped right on them.

The teacher announced from the front, The group with the lowest score will face a penalty. A week of cleaning duty!

Mia raised her hand. Teacher, is that punishment a little too light?

She was looking at the live leaderboard on the screen, where my name was at the very bottom. Even if I answered every question correctly, one persons score couldnt compete with a pairs.

Mia pouted, her voice filled with righteous indignation.

Leahs family is wealthy. Theyve donated two libraries to this school. So youre just going to be biased towards a rich kid like her? If even our teachers cant be fair and just, what hope is there for society?

The comments rallied behind the heroine.

Yes! Our girl is so right! Full of justice! This is what a true heroine looks like!

That side character thinks she can do whatever she wants just because she has money. So high and mighty, isn't she? Can't she win on her own?

Uhm, not to be a buzzkill, but she is on her own. You two are ganging up on her. Doesn't seem very fair?

Shut up, upstairs troll. You're just jealous of our heroine.

Shes been called out! Lets see who our hero chooses!

My eyes went to Joe.

He was fiddling with Mias ponytail, looking bored. He only bothered to speak when he noticed me looking at him.

I think Mia has a point, he said lazily. Lets add a little something to the punishment for last place. How about cleaning the mens toilets for a week? And no one is allowed to talk to her or help her for that entire week.

He smirked. A competition has to be fair, right?

Mia clapped with satisfaction, a sweet smile on her face as she pulled Joe back to answering questions. They were currently in first place.

The teacher looked helpless. He couldnt afford to offend the Preston family, so he could only shoot me a sympathetic glance.

Everyone assumed I was destined for last place.

Just then, a quiet knock echoed from the classroom door.