Keira immediately leaned in with concern, "Wenna, what happened this morning? I heard Sandra''s voice outside while I was still in our dorm room. By the time I changed and came out, you guys had already left."


    Lorna chimed in, "Did Sandrae to bully you again? Morwenna, you''ve got to stand up for yourself. Show her the same fight you''d show me. Sandra? She''s nothing; you could knock her into next week."


    Morwenna exined, "No, it wasn''t like that. Sandra actually came to apologize. It''s all sorted now, but it seems to have stirred up some attention. I''ve been getting a lot of looks today, even here in the cafeteria."


    Hearing this, Lorna burst intoughter, "Morwenna, you think they''re staring because of Sandra? Please, Sandra''s old news. You''re being watched because you''ve been nominated for Homing Queen!"


    Morwenna looked up, puzzled, "What?"


    "You really didn''t know? Among the freshmen, it''s between you and that Carolyn something. She''s been publicly challenging you, saying you''re not in her league."


    Morwenna just nodded and continued with her meal, now understanding the curious nces.


    Keira, ever the staunch supporter, quickly added, "That Carolyn whatever doesn''t hold a candle to you, Wenna."


    Lorna, puzzled, asked, "Scaredy-cat, you don''t know who Carolyn something is?"


    Keira blushed, "I know her. Carolyn Nelson. But anyone who messes with Wenna is someone I''d rather not know."


    Lorna couldn''t help butugh, "Scaredy-cat, you''ve gotten braver living in our dorm, haven''t you?"


    Keira wanted to say her courage had nothing to do with Lorna, but she kept silent.


    The mention of Carolyn Nelson struck a chord with Morwenna. It took her a moment to recall that after she publicly acknowledged her affection for Stuart and received some reciprocation, some of the daughters from Rosefrost Hollow''s influential families had started to stir.Content from N?velDr(a)ma.Org.


    Orson had mentioned two families in particr that were well-matched with the Hetfields and to watch out for.


    One was Jemima Vaughn from the Vaughn family, Dr. Vaughn''s sister, who had always been shy around Stuart. The other was Carolyn from the Nelson family.


    Dahlia spoke up, "Morwenna, don''t worry. We''re all behind you."


    The atmosphere around the table shifted slightly at Dahlia''s words.


    to


    Dahlia had always been the type to stay out of the limelight, helping Morwenna with small matters but never stepping into anything too substantive.


    This approach was understandable; after all, they were just acquaintances, and any help was appreciated.


    However, since discovering Morwenna''s true status, Dahlia had been noticeably more eager to please.


    This change left everyone feeling a bit uneasy.


    Morwenna shook her head, "It''s fine. I don''t care about these things. I don''t want topete."


    But when Lorna mentioned, "Wenna,


    are you out of your mind? Being Homing Queen at Rosefrost University could get you into special events and even schrships. You''re giving up on that?"


    The mention of schrships lit a fire in Morwenna''s eyes.


    "Compete? For Homing Queen? Count me in!"


    Lorna roared withughter, Keira giggled behind her hands, and Dahlia looked puzzled.


    Despite being married to Stuart and favored by Norbert, positioning her high within the Hetfield family, Morwenna couldn''t overlook the allure of a schrship.