Chapter 9

September, 1994

London

The months passed quickly, making Elizabeth wonder if everything had been a dream. It was difficult to imagine that she would be standing at the heart of London—the very city she and her crew had protected for many decades. But here she was along with her sisters, craning their heads up at the towering King's College London.

It was an intimidating sight, especially with the bustling noises of the city in broad daylight, a far cry from the serene quietness of Hampshire. Here there were more people, more cars and buildings. And here they would have to remain for four years, for most of those four years.

She gripped the strapped of her bag tightly, feeling homesick already. Perhaps this was a mistake; there were universities that were nearer, less expensive, less unfamiliar. On Hampshire they knew a lot of friends, people they could rely on.

Here they were alone.

"Sister, are you just going to stand there and keep staring?" Warspite whispered to Elizabeth's left ear. "They are gawking at us."

Elizabeth looked around furtively. Indeed a lot of people were looking in their direction. And who wouldn't? They were shorter than most, though thankfully not short enough to be mistaken for children. Even so, it must have been a really odd sight to see them attending King's College London.

"Let them," Valiant said, brushing her white hair. "The more attention we've got, the faster we'd acquire friends."

Warspite gave her a flat stare. "Or bullies."

Her sister grumbled, but before Valiant could retort, Elizabeth cleared her throat. "Edith is right, Val. We must get moving." After all, it's the first day of Welcome Week—a day to learn about their university and make new friends.

Leading the way, she climbed the steps, pushing through the crowd, often with liberal uses of "Passing through, please" and "Excuse me". It always worked, though she could feel the curious stares following her. At one point, Elizabeth heard someone say, "Aren't they too young to be here?"

The bright red streamers waved cheerily along the entrance, welcoming the students into the university's massive lobby. Already the multitude of voices seemed too much for her, but she pressed on, finding the sights distracting enough.

There were booths and stalls featuring a variety of activities. She could see a group of students laughing together at some wooden blocks they had to fit into a cohesive whole; another was showcasing paintings, each canvas blossoming with vibrant colors. Further down, a long table was set for crocheting.

Elizabeth pulled out her schedule card. There should be an orientation event happening soon, a meet-and-greet for freshmen. Hall B… Hall B… Weren't they in Hall A?

She turned to Warspite. "Edith, do you have your…"

Her sister was nowhere in sight. So was Valiant. Elizabeth whirled around, searching the faces, but none of them belonged to her sisters. None of them had Valiant's crimson eyes, nor did they have a scarf like Warspite's wrapped around their necks. Where were they?

Her throat tightened. She tried going back to the entrance, but none matched their height. Back. They had to be back inside. They hadn't gone further the last time they spoke. Surely, they couldn't have gotten far.

Chest heaving, Elizabeth retraced the steps they took. To the left was more stalls and booths, the throng thick but not impenetrable. She squinted, a flash of red catching her attention. Were those… No, it was just a bracelet.

She shook her head. She was about to head on when an idea struck her. The pagers; Noah gave them one each for this kind of situation. How stupid of her!

She ducked her head and rummaged inside her bag as she strode forward back toward the entrance. A notebook, her ID, a wallet. But no pager. Bloody hell, where did she put it?

And then she slammed into a wall. She yelped, backing away, only to find the wall staring at her in concern.

It wasn't a wall. Walls didn't have eyes as green as the forest on the first day of spring, nor did it wear a cotton jacket, or possessed a smile that could have charmed even the most brutal German soldier.

"Ah, lo siento, no te vi," he said.

"Todo está bien." It was strange how the Spanish came to her as easily as her native language. Drake had once explained that their service histories influenced the languages they knew and could learn.

His dark eyebrows nearly disappeared into his curly hair. "You know Spanish?"

"Obviously." She moved past him.

"Wait! Ah, are you lost?" There was that charming smile again.

"Looking for my sisters." Elizabeth continued, her fingers finally, finally curling around that pager. She pulled it out, sending a message to Warspite. Hopefully, she would see and read it.

"Hey, if you need help, just ask around, all right?" she heard him call, his voice soon drowned out by the crowd.

As if she needed help. Finding an actual wall by the entrance and leaning on it, she waited, clutching the pager like a lifeline. Her eyes scanned the crowd, her heart thumping loudly.

She could have sworn she deflated in relief as Valiant and Warspite came into view mere seconds later. Releasing the air in her lungs, Elizabeth rushed to meet them. "Where have you two been?" she demanded.

Valiant licked the icing from her lips, lifting a cupcake. "There's a booth selling these cupcakes. We thought to buy some."

Warspite nodded. "It's actually good. Here, we've got some—"

"You left me back there just to buy some cupcakes?" She tried to keep her voice steady, and she mostly succeeded, but a little of her frustration must have leaked out by the end, her pitch rising slightly.

Her sisters exchanged glances. "Sister, are you crying?" Valiant asked slowly.

She wiped her eyes. "No. Some dust just got into my eyes." Why would she cry anyway? It's not as if they had left her again. Just… Just like that nightmare. It was just a nightmare.

"All right." Warspite didn't sound convinced. "Well, we should hurry on. The meet-and-greet is about to begin."

Her heart calmed by the the time they reached Hall B, and Elizabeth had all but forgotten about the incident as they sat down. It was a spacious auditorium, with a raised stage for speakers and a canvas for the projector that some of the students were setting up.

Food was allowed, thankfully, so they ate the cupcakes while they waited. The strawberry cream exploded into her mouth, and while it couldn't hold a candle against Elisa's skills, Elizabeth found herself going for a second.

Laughter and conversation rose and fell around her, and there were no shortage of curious looks directed at them. She leaned towards Valiant. "I told you to dye your hair. It's going to acquire a lot of attention." At least she and Warspite were blondes; no one would find that unusual.

"I'm not going to dye my beautiful hair," Valiant said, rolling her eyes. "If anyone asks, I'll just tell them it's dyed."

"And your eyes?"

"Contact lenses."

Elizabeth sighed. Once Valiant's mind was made up, there was no convincing her out of it.

Soon the presentation began. First was a brief history of King's College London, its vision and principles, the quality of its education and the prominent figures who once graced its hallways and classrooms. Elizabeth recognized many of the names, and she had to suppress a smile. What would they think if they learn that three of their newest students were former battleships?

Valiant yawned, slouched in her chair, her eyelids drifting lower. But Warspite was attentive, scribbling notes on her pocket notebook.

When the presentation was drawing to a close, Elizabeth frowned as the chatter around her rose. Some students, no doubt seniors, were handing out sheets of paper.

"A questionnaire," Valiant said, "for new students."

Elizabeth blinked at her. "How do you know that?"

Her sister rolled her eyes. "The handbook. Haven't you read it?"

"I did," Warspite piped in.

"O-Of course I read it as well!" Elizabeth said. But perhaps she had missed a page, or… or she fell asleep. Yes, that was it! "Well, what are the questions?"

"Just simple ones about ourselves. Our interests, hobbies, favorite songs. The things we hate, the things we like…"

Elizabeth huffed. What an easy task. She could answer all those questions even if she was blindfolded.

"…and then a speech."

Now that one was—hang on! "A speech?" Elizabeth's eyes widened.

"Yes, a speech." Valiant stared at her as if she had grown a second head. "Sister, you're used to speeches."

Yes, every time she and her crew were victorious, and sometimes even when they were defeated. To boost morale. But those were different; she certainly wasn't fighting in any war at the moment, was she? And she hadn't even spoken those speeches!

"I-I suppose I can do it," she mumbled. What would she say, though? Greetings, my loyal subjects! I am your magnificent queen, Elizabeth, and you should be honored to be graced with my royal presence!

No, that wouldn't work. She would rather fight Bismarck than say that to a room full of strangers. Greeting customers with a smile, throwing out a good-for-nothing father who abandoned his children, even getting struck by a falling steel block—she could endure all of those.

To calm her nerves, she tried to answer the questionnaire as much as she could. They were indeed easy, so what was the point of the speech?

When she finished, the organizer spoke into the microphone. "Before we move on to the speeches, let us hear from one of Strand campus's exemplary students." He glanced to the side, grinning. "Oi, Evans!"

The crowd laughed and cheered, but Elizabeth couldn't find anything funny about it. It sounded so casual, so laidback, a far cry from the interactions she was used to back in Hampshire, where respect and courtesy were the norm.

The cheering grew louder as someone walked into the stage, clapping the organizer on his shoulder. Her jaw dropped. The cotton jacket, those eyes that reminded Elizabeth of a verdant forest—it was him.

Evans stepped to the podium and cleared his throat. "So, yes, I'm here once more to welcome our new students. Our campus is big, I know, so getting lost is natural. Don't feel bad about it." His eyes scanned the seats until, like a limpet mine, they were drawn to hers. He smirked.

Heat flooded her cheeks, and she averted her gaze. The red banners with the campus name looked unusually interesting.

"Of course, seeking help is also natural," he continued, his smirk replaced by a friendly smile. "And we at KCL promote helping each other. So do not hesitate to ask for help. Helping means progressing, and that's what we all want."

She tuned out the rest of his speech, staring at anything and everywhere except for him. She didn't need help, and she wasn't lost. Her sisters just left her, was all. It wasn't something she needed help with.

"Now, I know all of you are dying for the next part." His smile widened. "So, without further ado, let's call on Alisa Whitmore to give us a brief speech!"

The crowd cheered once more as a blonde girl stood from her seat near the front row, rubbing her palms nervously. The sight didn't help Elizabeth's own apprehension, her palms clammy all of a sudden.

"Relax, would you?" Valiant whispered. "It's just a speech."

She glared at her, but said nothing. Of course, it was just a speech. But what would happen if she stuttered? Or if she forgot a word, or what she was really intending to say. Or… Or what if she looked ridiculous due to her height? They would laugh at her, perhaps worse!

The students were called in alphabetical order, so Warspite went first. Elizabeth watched her sister, whose expression was polite and confident. There wasn't any hint of nervousness, her pace measured and her movements controlled.

To Elizabeth's surprise, Warspite's introduction speech was short and simple. She was soon returning to her seat in a couple of minutes, her delivery flawless and precise. If her sister could do it, she could do it as well.

"Elizabeth Dallimore, please come to the stage."

The voice, Elizabeth realized just now, was coming from him. She swallowed, glancing at her sisters. Warspite gave her an encouraging nod, so did Valiant. Elizabeth inhaled a lungful of air and rose to her feet.

Their eyes honed in on her. It may not have been apparent that Warspite was her sister even if they shared the same surname, but now it was glaringly obvious; same height, almost the same shade of hair. They could be mistaken for twins, even.

Elizabeth marched to the podium, her gaze ahead. He was looking at her, eyes shining with curiosity, and her path took her past him. Sweet and fragrant. The scent wafted, subtle but evident.

She swallowed again, and ignored the heat rising to her neck. As she reached the podium, her heart almost stopped. Her head barely rose above it. Was Warspite that tall?

The crowd stared at her, and a chill crawled down her spine. What should she do? Should she continue? Run back to her seat? Go on while looking like a complete idiot? Or perhaps—

"Here."

It was a microphone. Elizabeth glanced at it, then at Evans. He nodded, offering it to her. "T-Thank you," she mumbled before taking it.

She could still barely see the audiences. What the heck? With a grumble, she moved away from the podium, cleared her throat, and drew another lungful of air. Short and simple, just like Warspite.

"Forging bonds are essential to any person," she began. "Bonds make a family strong, make relationships last through the test of time. Humans, animals, every sentient creature seeks it; craves for it."

The room was silent, with nary a breath audible. She continued. "Forging bonds are ingrained to our flesh, our very souls. We bond for survival, for progress, for love. We bond to make our existence meaningful, to give purpose on the life we've been given. And we strengthen it, in the hope that it will, in turn, empower us and the lives we touched.

"I am Elizabeth Dallimore, and as I enter King's College London, I hope to forge new bonds with all of you. A connection that will grow as we journey through another stage of our lives. My sincerest gratitude, and have a good day."

The silence deepened. She lowered the microphone, her heart pounding louder than it had ever been. Had she really said all of that? Short and simple. It was supposed to be short and simple. What came over her?

A clap broke the silence. It was coming from behind her. When Elizabeth turned, Evans had a wide smile on his face, and the rest of the seniors as well.

And like a water breaking from a dam, the entire auditorium erupted into a deafening cheer.

###

It was seven in the evening when Elizabeth collapsed face-first onto her bed with a sigh. Finally! It had been a long day, and after that speech earlier, she could probably sleep even in the middle of a naval engagement. Speaking in front of a lot of people like that was something she never wanted to do again.

She rolled on her back, and stared at the ceiling. It was a nice feeling, though, speaking your heart to an enraptured audience. Words had the power to inspire, to instill certain emotions into an individual. Words could move entire nations, even the world. And in an era of peace, world could shape a person's future.

Perhaps, if there was no alternative, she could agree to a speech if approached nicely. She wouldn't certainly decline any requests. And without a doubt, after what she said today, there would be requests.

There was a knock on the door. "Sister, dinner's ready!" Warspite called.

Elizabeth sighed. She wanted to rest, but her stomach was protesting. Though the welcome fair had a lot of food, she couldn't eat to her liking because of the activities Valiant had insisted they try. It took them the better part of an hour just to convince her to stop humiliating her chess opponent.

Oh, well. Eating was better than just lying down on the bed. She wasn't sleepy yet, and there were things she wanted to discuss with her sisters anyway.

After changing into a simple shirt and skirt, she found them at her kitchen. Noah had gotten them three rooms, one for each of them, all with the best amenities this residence could provide. It sounded like a waste—the other two kitchens were practically useless, and the rooms were expensive—but there weren't a lot of houses for letting.

Her sisters were already eating. Elizabeth sat at the head of the table and helped herself to a plate of aromatic steak. She sniffed. "Rosemary and sage?" she asked Warspite.

Her sister nodded, smiling. "A gift from Elisa. She sent it just this morning."

They ate mostly in silence, with occasional comments from Valiant about the people she had met during the meet-and-greet. Elizabeth hadn't bothered to socialize after her speech, avoiding interaction unless addressed directly. She had still felt embarrassed, and the way they gave her attention made her uncomfortable.

"So are any of you going to the swimming tryouts tomorrow?" Warspite asked when she finished her salad.

Elizabeth chewed her potato thoughtfully before replying, "Perhaps. You're going?" Water was their territory; they had learned about it after a brief trip at a public pool, where they discovered that they could swim more fluidly than ordinary humans—a discovery corroborated by Drake.

Warspite shrugged. "Wouldn't hurt to try. Isn't that what Noah said?"

Try everything, as long as it wouldn't hurt you. See the world, live your life. A parting advice from their brother, though Elizabeth knew he had said it especially to her.

"That's true. I think I'll go as well." They had brought swimsuits, after all. She turned to Valiant. "How about you?"

Her sister's cheeks puffed. "Of course, I shall go as well. I'm the best swimmer at my previous school."

Elizabeth snorted, but said nothing. She took a sip of the tea, sighing at its sweet taste—another gift, from Drake this time.

The thought of their former tutor, and senior ship, drove another pang of homesickness in her heart, filling her mind with images of their last four months at the estate. It disheartened her to learn that the Revenge-class would be studying in a different university, and that they wouldn't be adopted into the family. Noah couldn't take them in; it would attract too much attention.

And what would happen if more arrived? The Royal Navy destroyers of World War II alone numbered dozens. What about the heavy cruisers? Their lighter cousins? The aircraft carriers? The submarines?

Dozens of them, even hundreds.

They would need something, someone else, to protect those ships should they get reborn. Noah couldn't do it alone, and neither could Drake. But who? The monarchy? The Admiralty? People wouldn't even believe if they revealed their identities. Or even if they believed, the government might start experimenting on them when they learned how strong they were.

"Elizabeth?"

Warspite's concerned voice broke her out of rumination. Elizabeth blinked, and she felt a stiffness in her fingers. Glancing down, she saw the teacup still held in her hand.

She looked at her sister in confusion. "You've been, uh, sitting there without moving for over five minutes now," Warspite said.

"Oh." Elizabeth lowered the cup and looked away. "It's nothing. Don't mind me."

Warspite didn't say anything, and neither did Valiant. Elizabeth preferred it that way. There was nothing they could do, and she didn't want to burden them with worries of the future. For now, as Noah said, they would enjoy their time as ordinary students.

###

Swimming tryouts began in the morning and would last until noon, so they arrived early in preparation.

Frankly, Elizabeth wasn't too keen on joining the swimming teams. Competitions just didn't seem enticing, and she was only doing this as a form of recreation, a way to remind her that she was once a mistress of the seas.

As she and her sisters emerged from the changing room, however, and she saw dozens of swimmers nervously standing in a line on the side of the massive pool, the sight gave her pause. Many of them, if not all, had been swimming since they were in high school—probably since they were children, even.

She wasn't. She wasn't even a human until last year. And she felt a slight pang of guilt; swimming came to her as easily as walking on land. It didn't seem fair to the rest.

She would just go easy, then.

"Don't show off too much," she told her sisters quietly. They blinked.

"Why not?" Valiant asked, her eyebrows meeting together. "We're just going to swim."

"Yes. But they might ask questions if they saw how good we are. We're not here to attract attention."

Valiant snorted. "Because we are the best. Why hide it?" She crossed her arms and marched to the end of the line.

Elizabeth grimaced. She had seen how Valiant swam before, and she was glad no one was looking; her sister cleared two laps of a 25-meter pool in less than 35 seconds.

The pool they would be using was of the same length, and she had no doubt that people would be wondering how three slim and petite girls could cover that span so quickly. Hopefully, Valiant would have some sense.

The tryouts began in order of their arrival. A relief. It would still be some time before they were called, so she stood next to her sisters, patiently waiting for their turn. No one bothered them, though like yesterday, the glances were curious and intrigued.

Elizabeth watched as the plump and balding coach, Mr. Herbert, called them one by one. Each was asked a few questions, given a few exercises, then told to wait on the benches. He didn't take too long; less than ten minutes for most.

And throughout he kept a bored, sometimes even disappointed, expression. As if none impressed him. Were the standards really that high? Elizabeth didn't know much about competitive swimming, but she was sure that there were good swimmers among the ones she had seen.

"Next," Mr. Herbert drone,scribbling something in his clipboard.

Smiling in confidence, Valiant approached him. He looked up from his clipboard, frowned, then looked down when Valiant cleared her throat. He arched an eyebrow.

"Name?"

"Valerie Dallimore."

"Where?"

"Hampshire, Basingstoke."

"Age?"

"16."

"You seem too short for your age," Mr noted, eyeing her critically. There were a few snickers from the benches.

"Genes," Valiant said flatly, her smile gone.

Elizabeth sighed. She could understand her sister's displeasure, and often wondered herself why they weren't as tall as the Revenge-class. It made interacting with people difficult; often they were treated like children, even though their minds were far older than most.

The coach didn't seem convinced, but he simply grunted and directed Valiant to begin the drills. Elizabeth watched her sister, noting the way she cut gracefully through the water. Normal strokes, backstrokes, butterflies—the forms were easy for her. Too easy that the other students began to whisper in awe.

Mr. Herbert was still frowning, but there was an odd look in his eyes, a miix of bewilderment and surprise. Elizabeth saw how the others fared during the practice. Cumbersome and inelegant were two words that would best describe them

Valiant wasn't like that. She flowed like an eel, her arms parting the water as easily as a ship's hull. Perhaps that was it. As they were once warships, their abilities over water was better than humans.

She didn't know whether to be glad that or not. It made them truly not human, an oddity that was something they weren't supposed to be despite their very human appearances.

When Valiant emerged from the water half an hour later, she had a wide smirk on her face. Mr. Herbert scribbled something on his clipboard, told her to sit by the benches, then called, "Next!"

Elizabeth padded to him, ignoring the looks she was receiving. She may not be as tall as Warspite, but she had a few centimetres on her than Valiant. And her smile didn't look like a sneer.

Mr. Herbert eyed her. "Name?"

"Elizabeth Dallimore."

"Where?"

"Hampshire, Basingstoke."

"Age?"

"17."

"Right," he muttered, shaking his head. "And how long have you been swimming?"

"Since four years ago." A blatant lie, but it was the only way she could make her skills look natural.

"Any muscular and pulmonary issues?"

"None."

"All right." Mr. Herbert moved to the side. "Do a few laps in the pool. I want to see how you hold up like your sister."

Elizabeth nodded. She pulled down her goggles, took a deep breath, and plunged into the water. The sounds became muffled, and the weight… there was little weight, if there even was at all. The chlorine water clung around her like a coat; she could move freely in it, and it would drench her wet, but her movements were unimpeded.

To a regular human's eyes, there would be no difference from an ordinary person taking a swim.

Kicking her feet, she shot forward. Her slim arms carved the front, propelling her faster and faster. Smooth and graceful. No harder than taking a morning walk.

She did a dozen laps, a few dozens of strokes in different styles. Mr. Herbert even had her hold breath for nearly five minutes. She could have gone for longer—her record was 12 minutes and 37 seconds—but that would just raise suspicion because of her small body.

She didn't stay as long in the water as Valiant, Warspite even shorter. The tryouts finished an hour later, and by the end of it, everyone was gawking at them. Most didn't manage to last fifteen minutes and barely achieved 50 strokes.

"All right, that's it for today," Mr. Herbert said. "You'll receive a letter in a week or two if you passed the assessment."

They began filing out of the room. As they left, Elizabeth felt the gazes on her and her sisters. Would it ever stop? She didn't think so, especially once they were attending classes and earning credits. Smarter than ordinary humans, Drake had said. But why?

###

On the third day, they were going on a tour of the campus. It was to familiarize the freshmen, and indeed, the interior was a confusing labyrinth of corridors and hallways—a daunting place that Elizabeth had to get used to.

But it was impressive. Human architecture, especially her nation's architecture, was gorgeous; the splendidly crafted arches, the magnificent ceilings painted by talented artists, the way each spacious corridor led from one wing to another, allowing you to go anywhere in the school. It all made her heart soar with delight…

"And here we have the cafeteria. Breakfast, lunch, even snacks. But do be careful." Evans smirked at her. "The snacks here are exceptional and might result in addiction. Although if you are, ah, lacking in nutrients, eating more would be beneficial."

Only for that delight to take a steep nose-dive faster than a dive bomber.

She ignored the snickering, as always. Valiant was chatting away with another freshman, while Warspite dug into a pack of pretzels, looking unimpressed with what Elizabeth assumed was a jest. If it could even be called a jest.

The third-year student continued leading the group. Macy, another senior who seemed to be a much friendlier individual, droned on and on about the campus history and such. It was an interesting topic, and Elizabeth listened intently, but Evans's constant glances at her were ruining her concentration. Was there something on her face? Warspite would have told her, though.

When the tour ended, it was almost lunch time. But the cafeteria wasn't fully staffed yet. Elizabeth considered returning to her room and preparing a meal for her and her sisters, but that would take time. Her stomach was already growling.

"Say, I know a good place just a block from here," Macy said. "We could have lunch there if you guys would want to. Exchange stories and all of that."

"Get to know each other," Evans supplied with a smile.

Some of the group politely decline, having errands or commitments of their own. Elizabeth would have followed suit, but a sharp jab at her ribs stopped the words from escaping her mouth. She glared at Valiant.

"I and my sisters would love to," Valiant said sweetly, ignoring Elizabeth's glare.

"Perfect!"

As Macy and Evans turned around, Valiant said in a low voice, "Don't be rude. We can save our money this way."

Elizabeth pressed her lips in a thin line. Their accommodations and tuition fee were paid by Noah, but the rest would have to come from their own pockets. And even if Noah had offered, Elizabeth would still decline. He was already doing a lot for them.

Valiant's logic was sound, there was no denying that. But she didn't want to come off as a freeloader, either. Then again, this was the first time they were being invited by their schoolmates. It wouldn't be wrong to accept the invitation.

Elizabeth sighed. "Fine."

It was less than a five-minute walk from the campus to the restaurant. To their left, the River Thames glittered like a ribbon of blue diamond. Beyond, on the other side, southern London spread in orderly sections of campuses and historical landmarks.

She trailed a few feet behind the group. Valiant, as always, had inserted herself seamlessly between Macy and another girl, regaling them with tales of her brief time in Scotland. Warspite spoke, in fluent French, with another member of their group, a bespectacled boy who seemed enamored at her expertise and kept nodding vigorously.

Elizabeth looked away, watching the busy streets. Her sisters were making friends, and while she was glad for that, a part of her longed for the time when there were just the three of them. A time when they would simply reminisce about their history, or talk about what clothes they would buy.

"You know, that expression would make for a poor painting."

It was Evans. Somehow, he was now beside her rather than leading the group. She blinked at him, then returned her attention to the streets. Perhaps if she ignored him, he would go back to the front.

"Is this your first time in London?" he asked.

The question went unanswered, even as they finally arrived at their destination. Extravagant frontage, polished glass doors. Inside she could see champagne bottles and wine glasses. It looked far more expensive than the restaurants in Hampshire.

"London's Finest," Evans mused. "A misnomer. I don't find the food tasty here, but Macy loves going back for the caviar."

Elizabeth nearly stumbled on the way to the doors. Caviar. They don't even serve caviar at the bistro. She managed to compose herself, her face blank as they entered. Valiant gasped, and Warspite murmured, "Is it really all right for us to eat here?"

The place was definitely not affordable by ordinary students. Elizabeth glanced at the tables, and her eyes nearly went crossed. There were steaks bathed in fountains of creamy gravies and other sauces; lobsters red as cherries nestled in forests of greens; fruits sliced to perfection.

And the customers. Many wore expensive clothes, their table manners refined and elegant. Some were young, closer to their group's age range. Most, however, were adults.

Macy chuckled. "Just put it on Evans's tab."

"You mean your tab." He smirked. "You're the one who invited us."

She rolled her eyes and strode ahead, picking a table near the center. Valiant followed, but the rest of the group hesitated. Elizabeth glanced down at her shirt and skirt. They looked so normal, so common compared to the other customers'.

"It'll be fine," Evans assured them. "They don't mind if students eat here. I come here sometimes with just a shirt and trousers."

Elizabeth was still hesitating, but when Warspite reluctantly headed to the table, followed by the boy—Watson, if she remembered right—she sighed and trailed after her.

They sat around the table, all seven of them. The utensils were like well-crafted mirrors, and the white table cloth was so pristine that the tiniest stain would be noticeable from several yards away. Opening the menu, Elizabeth was glad that she was sitting.

The selections cost as much as all of her wage combined for a whole week. And those were just the entrées. What the heck was this restaurant?

She glanced at the others. No one was making an order yet, and she could swear that most weren't breathing, either. A waiter approached, pure white teeth showing through his smile while he took Evans's and Macy's orders.

Valiant lowered the menu. "I'll have the quail egg in garlic sauce, the fried lobster, and four seasons."

After a quick glance at the menu, Elizabeth felt the blood from her cheeks draining. The lobster alone cost more than 150!

"I'll have the salmon, I guess," Warspite mumbled.

"Wagyu beef for me," Melissa, another freshman, said.

"Uh, I'll take the lamb shank navarin," Watson said.

"And wine?" the waiter asked.

Macy took note of the group and said, "We'll just have a four seasons like Valerie. Oh, have you already chosen, Elizabeth?"

Six pairs of eyes turned to her. Elizabeth took one last look at the menu, closed it with a soft click, and smiled sweetly.

"I'll have fish and chips."

###

When the food began to arrive, Elizabeth swallowed.

Her eyes raked the garnishes, the colorful sauces, all making up beautiful presentations—almost like works of art. No, they were works of art. And the spices combining with the natural aroma of the dishes amplified their visual appeal.

Even something as simple as fish and chips were prepared masterfully, the brown too perfect, the oil just enough. Fine dining restaurant. She always thought the term was just an exaggeration, but after seeing it with her own eyes, it was indeed a fine dining.

The first bite nearly made her faint in delight. Before she knew it, her plate was half empty. It was not until she took a sip from her four seasons that she noticed Evans staring at her.

She arched an eyebrow. "What?"

He smiled. "Nothing." He returned to his meal.

Her sisters were busy with conversation while they ate, but Elizabeth didn't join in, preferring to listen while enjoying her last two chips. Apparently, Macy's father knew the owner of the restaurant, and they often come here to eat.

Small wonder she had the money, Elizabeth thought. Macy must be wealthy enough to buy whatever she wanted if the price of the food here meant nothing to her. And if her interactions with Evans were indications, then he, too, possessed the same status.

"So, Elizabeth," Macy said, her blue eyes focusing on her, "I've heard that Mr. Herbert was impressed by your performance yesterday." She smiled. "Are you planning to join the swim club?"

Elizabeth chewed slowly before she answered, "I don't know. I don't plan on joining a competition."

Macy arched an eyebrow. "What course are you taking?"

"Business." Evans choked at that. Elizabeth continued, "I and Edith. And Valerie is taking Economics."

"What a coincidence. Evans's course is also Business."

Blinking, Elizabeth stared at him fully. There was that smile again. "I guess we'll be classmates, then," she said after a moment.

Watson was following after the footsteps of his favorite author, Tolkien, so he wanted to learn Linguistics. Melissa wanted to be a doctor, while Macy was venturing into the world of politics. A dangerous world, Elizabeth thought.

When it was time for desserts, Elizabeth nearly fainted again. The cake was three-layered, overflowing with delectable icing and sprinkles. The urge to dip her finger was strong, but she fought it back; it would be inappropriate, and she might not be able to restrain herself. Instead, driven by her sweet tooth, she took a small slice.

As she ate, she listened as Macy recounted a tale of how she and Evans met. "We met in grade school," she was saying. "I was taller than him at the time, and he was new. He kept following me like a lost puppy."

He snorted. "You were the one who dragged me off. I was scared of you, remember?"

"I dragged you off to save your thick skull from getting clobbered by Jason and his goonies," she said dryly. "And yes, you were scared of me. But so were they." She winked at Elizabeth.

The story wasn't hard to believe. Toned muscles covered Macy's arms, as if she had been going to a gym every day.

Elizabeth watched their interactions, their banter, and something occurred to her. "Are you two together?"

The reaction was immediate. Evans nearly spat his drink, and Macy burst into laughter. "Oh, no. No, no," she said between fits of giggling. Evans isn't the kind of person my father would want me to have a relationship with."

"I see." What an odd statement. Did that mean Evans wasn't rich? That could explain his comment earlier about putting everything on Macy's tab.

"I'm not politically inclined, is what she meant," he explained, wiping his mouth with a napkin. He shrugged. "I'm content with just opening a restaurant, or a hotel."

"He can cook," Macy added nonchalantly.

"So can we." Elizabeth gestured at her sisters. "We've worked at a bistro for half a year."

Evans's eyes shone with interest, as did Watson. "Why aren't you taking culinary, then?" Evans asked.

With a shrug, Elizabeth dipped her spoon into the cake. "Maybe we shall. Edith?"

Warspite seemed startled to be addressed, but she nodded and smiled. "I plan to take that course someday. Not at the moment, though."

Of course they could take any course they wanted, and they would excel in them greatly. But money would get tight if they did; they had to find jobs to support themselves.

One obstacle at a time, she thought. Besides, the first few months would be hectic as they settled into their new lives. It would be a miracle finding a job and cramming it along with their schoolworks.

They stayed for some time after desserts. Evans was droning about the time his sister scolded him for burning the steak, but Elizabeth hardly paid attention . It was past 2 PM. Noah said he would be calling at 4.

Thankfully, she didn't have to wait long. Macy soon paid the tab, and they left the restaurant with their bellies full. She didn't want to admit it, but Elizabeth enjoyed the lunch.

"Where are you staying?" Evans asked. Watson and Melissa had already went away on a cab. The others were a few ways ahead to call for a cab, leaving her alone with Evans.

"Sunny Lodge," Elizabeth answered.

His eyes brightened. "That's close to where I'm staying."

"Splendid," she said flatly.

There was a pause. She tried ambling away toward her sisters, but Evans shadowed her, humming a tune. As if she hadn't noticed. Perhaps if she ignored him, he would stop bugging her.

"So, why King's College London?"

Of course, he didn't. Turning her gaze toward him, she said, "Why are you asking?"

He regarded her silently. It was rude, she knew, but the boy—for he was just a boy to her, no matter how young she looked herself—was starting to test her patience.

Finally, he smiled faintly. "You're not used to people talking to you."

"Only people whom I don't know."

"Then let's get to know each other." He took a step toward her. "Forging bonds is important, wasn't that what you said?"

Just then the cab pulled over. Valiant beckoned to her, and Elizabeth followed without answering. She passed by Macy, who said, "We're going to have a pub crawl tomorrow. Do you want to join? You and your sisters could come."

Warspite and Valiant were already on their seats, watching. Valiant nodded eagerly. Elizabeth chewed her lower lip. She didn't want to decline—she had had her fair share of pub crawls in the past months, so she knew what to expect. But this was a new city, and they were new people; strangers. Even if this was London, it was still unknown territory for her and her sisters.

"I'll… think about it."

Then she sat beside Warspite, and the cab sped away.

I'm certain that this chapter has a lot of inconsistencies and inaccuracies. I mean, obviously I was never a student at KCL, much less a student in London during the year 1994.

Anyway, this is officially the start of Act II! There's a slight shift in formatting here, specifically the addition of dates. Do pay close attention to them sometimes, as they give minor clues on worldbuilding as well as some plot points.

Now for the next few chapters, you guys may or may not start hating me for everything that Elizabeth will be going through in this arc. In fact, you may or may not hate her as well. And that's fine. I'm writing this story because it is the story that I want to write. Hopefully, everything will be clear by the end.

One last thing. The plot will be quite different for this arc. Romance will be the focus for now, but expect some interesting developments involving Noah and the Royal Navy. With that said, pacing might be even slower than before, so I will now apologize early for that.

As always, thank you for the support!