The principal's office suddenly felt too small.
"Reporters?" Amara repeated softly.
The principal ended the phone call and sighed heavily.
"Yes. Several news stations are outside the academy gates."
He looked directly at Amara.
"They're asking to speak with you."
Amara's face went pale.
"With… me?"
Adrian stood calmly beside her, but his expression had become colder.
"They won't be speaking with her."
The principal nodded slightly.
"I agree."
He walked toward the window and peeked outside.
Even from the office, they could see a small crowd forming near the front entrance of the school.
Camera crews.
Journalists.
Microphones.
Amara felt dizzy.
"This is insane…"
The principal turned back toward them.
"For now, you should avoid leaving the building."
Adrian crossed his arms.
"That won't stop them."
"And I know that," the principal replied. "But the school cannot allow students to be surrounded by media."
Before anyone could say anything else—
Another knock came at the office door.
A teacher stepped inside quickly.
"Sir… the reporters are getting louder. They're asking if the Crown Prince is here."
The principal closed his eyes for a moment.
"Of course they are."
Amara suddenly felt guilty.
"This is my fault…"
Adrian looked at her immediately.
"No, it isn't."
"But if I never—"
"You didn't do anything wrong," he interrupted firmly.
His voice was calm but serious.
The principal cleared his throat.
"There is another problem."
Both of them looked at him.
"Students have started posting videos of this situation online."
Amara groaned quietly.
"So it's getting worse."
"Yes," the principal confirmed.
Outside the hallway, students had already begun gathering.
Whispers filled the corridor.
"They're here!"
"Reporters are outside!"
"Are they really here for Amara?"
The situation was quickly turning chaotic.
Adrian glanced toward the door.
"This is going to spread faster if we hide."
The principal frowned slightly.
"What are you suggesting?"
Adrian spoke calmly.
"We leave normally."
Amara blinked.
"Normally?"
"Yes."
She stared at him.
"There are reporters outside!"
Adrian looked at her.
"I know."
"And you still want to walk out there?"
"Yes."
Amara's jaw nearly dropped.
"Are you trying to give me a heart attack?"
Adrian almost smiled.
"Relax."
Then he added quietly—
"I won't let them attack you."
The principal hesitated before speaking again.
"If you do this… it will attract even more attention."
Adrian shrugged.
"That was already unavoidable."
Amara sighed.
"This is the worst first month of school ever."
Adrian opened the office door.
Students immediately pretended not to stare.
"Come on," he said to her.
Amara followed nervously.
As they walked through the hallway, whispers spread like wildfire.
"Look! It's them!"
"They're going outside!"
Students rushed toward windows and doors to watch.
Outside the school entrance, the crowd of reporters had grown even larger.
Cameras pointed toward the gates.
Microphones raised.
The moment Adrian and Amara stepped outside—
Flashes exploded everywhere.
"Prince Adrian!"
"Miss Vale!"
"Are you two dating?"
"Did she stay at the palace last night?"
The questions came all at once.
Amara froze for a moment.
But Adrian stepped slightly in front of her.
Shielding her from most of the cameras.
His voice remained calm.
"No further questions."
Reporters shouted louder.
"Is the palace confirming a relationship?"
Adrian didn't answer.
He simply guided Amara toward the waiting royal car.
But before they could reach it—
One reporter shouted a final question.
"Miss Vale! Did you use the Crown Prince to become famous?"
The question cut through the noise.
Amara stopped walking.
Adrian turned slightly.
But before he could say anything—
Amara spoke.
Her voice was quiet.
But clear.
"I didn't ask for fame."
The reporters fell silent.
Amara looked directly at them.
"I just wanted to go to school."
For a moment…
Even the cameras stopped flashing.
Adrian glanced at her with quiet surprise.
Then he opened the car door.
"Get in."
As the royal car pulled away, the reporters were already sending the new footage to every news station.
Inside the car, Amara leaned back against the seat.
Her heart was still racing.
"Did I just talk to the entire media?"
Adrian looked out the window calmly.
"Yes."
Amara covered her face.
"I'm never surviving this school year."