The next morning started quietly.
Too quietly.
Amara sat at the small dining table in her apartment, slowly eating a bowl of cereal. Sunlight streamed through the window, and for a moment everything felt normal.
Her mother was getting ready for work.
"You look tired," her mother said gently.
Amara forced a small smile.
"Just a long night."
She didn't explain the royal event.
She wasn't even sure how to.
Her mother placed a cup of tea on the table and turned on the television before heading toward the door.
"I'll see you tonight, okay?"
"Okay, Mom."
The door closed.
Amara picked up her phone.
And froze.
Her notifications were exploding.
Messages. Mentions. Calls.
Her heart started beating faster.
"What…?"
She opened the first message.
Lina:
AMARA TURN ON THE NEWS RIGHT NOW.
Confused, Amara grabbed the remote and turned her eyes to the television.
A news anchor appeared on the screen.
Behind her was a photo.
A photo of Amara and Adrian at the royal event.
Amara nearly dropped the remote.
"Breaking headlines this morning," the anchor said.
"Crown Prince Adrian Laurent was seen last night attending a royal charity gala with an unknown girl identified as a student from St. Augustine Royal Academy."
Another photo appeared.
Adrian standing beside Amara.
Protectively.
Reporters' voices continued.
"Sources say the mysterious girl is Amara Vale, a scholarship student at the academy."
"Many are now questioning the close relationship between the Crown Prince and the student."
"Is this friendship… or something more?"
Amara covered her face with both hands.
"Oh no."
Her phone buzzed again.
Lina calling.
Amara answered immediately.
"Lina?"
"ARE YOU ALIVE?!" Lina practically screamed through the phone.
"I think so…"
"You're trending!"
"WHAT?!"
"Trending, Amara! On every platform! Everyone at school is talking about it!"
Amara groaned and fell back into her chair.
"This is a disaster."
Lina continued excitedly.
"There are photos of you two walking together… talking… and one where he's looking at you like—"
"Lina!"
"Okay okay! But listen…"
Her voice suddenly became serious.
"Vanessa is furious."
Amara sighed.
"Of course she is."
"And the school is chaos right now," Lina added. "Reporters are already outside the academy."
Amara's stomach twisted.
"Reporters…?"
"Yes."
Before Amara could respond—
A loud knock came from her apartment door.
Both girls went silent.
Another knock.
This time louder.
Amara slowly stood up.
"Lina…"
"Yes?"
"I think the reporters found my house."
Lina gasped.
"Oh no."
Amara walked toward the door cautiously.
She looked through the small peephole.
And her heart nearly stopped.
Cameras.
Microphones.
Reporters.
At least ten people standing outside.
One of them knocked again.
"Miss Amara Vale! Can you confirm your relationship with the Crown Prince?"
Amara quickly stepped back from the door.
Her hands were shaking now.
"This is bad…"
Very bad.
Her phone buzzed again.
This time…
It was Adrian.
Amara stared at his name on the screen.
Then she answered.
"Hello?"
Adrian's voice came through calm but serious.
"Don't leave your house."
Amara blinked.
"That was already the plan."
"I'm sending a car," he continued.
"A car?"
"Yes."
"For what?"
There was a small pause.
Then Adrian said quietly—
"You're coming to the palace."