By the next morning…
The academy was in chaos again.
Every screen in the school seemed to be playing clips of the moment outside the gates.
Amara's voice.
"I just wanted to go to school."
Students watched the video in the hallways, the cafeteria, even in classrooms before teachers arrived.
Some students looked sympathetic.
Others still whispered.
But one thing was certain.
Everyone knew her name now.
Amara sat quietly at her desk in the classroom, trying very hard to ignore the stares around her.
Lina leaned closer and whispered excitedly.
"Okay, but can we talk about how cool you looked yesterday?"
Amara groaned softly.
"I wasn't trying to look cool."
"Well you did."
Across the room, Vanessa slammed her locker shut loudly before entering the classroom.
Her eyes immediately landed on Amara.
Cold.
Annoyed.
But before she could say anything—
The classroom door opened.
Their homeroom teacher walked in.
"Good morning, class."
The students quickly returned to their seats.
But the teacher didn't start the lesson immediately.
Instead, he cleared his throat.
"We have an announcement."
Curious murmurs spread through the room.
"We will be welcoming a new transfer student today."
That immediately caught everyone's attention.
Transfers into this academy were rare.
Very rare.
The teacher looked toward the door.
"You may come in."
The classroom door opened slowly.
A tall boy walked inside.
He had dark hair, sharp features, and a confident posture. His uniform looked perfectly tailored, and his calm expression made him look like he belonged in the school just as much as Adrian did.
Several girls immediately started whispering.
"Who is he?"
"He's handsome…"
"He looks rich."
The teacher smiled politely.
"Class, this is Lucas Laurent."
The name caused several students to gasp.
Laurent.
The same last name as Adrian.
The teacher continued.
"He recently transferred from an international academy abroad."
Amara blinked.
Laurent?
Her eyes slowly moved toward Adrian.
Adrian's expression had completely changed.
Cold.
Tense.
Lucas noticed.
And smiled slightly.
"Good morning," Lucas said casually.
His voice was smooth and confident.
The teacher gestured toward an empty desk.
"You may sit over there."
Lucas walked through the classroom.
But instead of immediately sitting down…
He stopped beside Amara's desk.
The entire room went silent.
Lucas looked down at her with curiosity.
"So," he said.
"You're Amara."
Amara blinked.
"…Yes?"
Lucas smiled faintly.
"I've heard a lot about you."
Across the room, Adrian's jaw tightened.
Vanessa watched the interaction carefully.
The classroom buzzed with tension.
Lucas finally moved to his seat.
But before sitting down…
He glanced at Adrian.
And said casually—
"It's been a while, cousin."
The room exploded with whispers.
Cousin?
Amara's eyes widened.
Another prince?
Adrian didn't look amused.
Not even slightly.
And for the first time since meeting him…
Amara saw real irritation in his eyes.
This new transfer student was clearly not someone Adrian was happy to see.
And something about Lucas's confident smile made it clear.
He hadn't transferred to this academy by accident.