Under the crown

Fiance

"What are your plans for the upcoming school year?" Lore asked while leaning on the sofa.

We're spending the day at the palace since we didn't have any other plans. We figured it would be a great opportunity to hang out before the school year begins. Once classes start, we'll all be busy focusing on our studies, and college is certainly no easy feat.

As we lounge around the palace, we can't help but feel a mix of excitement and nervousness about the upcoming school year. We've heard that college is a whole different ball game compared to high school, and we're not sure what to expect. But we're all determined to work hard and make the most of our time at the University.

For now, though, we're just enjoying each other's company and making the most of our last few weeks of freedom before the school year starts. We're chatting, laughing, and reminiscing about old times, and it feels great to just relax and be ourselves.

But as the day wears on, we can't help but think about the challenges that lie ahead. We know that college will be tough, and we'll have to stay focused and motivated if we want to succeed. We'll have to balance our academic responsibilities with our social lives, and we'll have to learn to navigate the ups and downs of college life.

Still, we're all feeling optimistic and enthusiastic about the future. We know that we'll face challenges along the way, but we're ready to work together and support each other every step of the way. Bring it on, college life!

“Are you all decided already?” Lore asked again

"I've already decided to enroll at Taverna," Jasmin replied.

Taverna is the most prestigious and elite university here in Aurora, renowned for its rigorous academic programs and esteemed faculty. It's a place where students from the highest hierarchies and children of average families come together to learn and grow, along with scholars from different royal families who are sponsored by their respective kingdoms.

Since we were in high school at the academy, we had already discussed our plans for college and agreed to enroll in Taverna University together. We were all excited at the prospect of continuing our education at such a revered institution and being part of its long history of academic excellence.

However, I also told them that I might not be allowed to do so, because enrolling in college isn't part of the deal I made with my parents. As the princess of Aurora, my life is already mapped out for me, and my parents have certain expectations that I need to fulfill. Going to college at Taverna University might not be part of their plans for me, and I might have to attend a different university or pursue a different path altogether.

"Me too," Irene added.

"I've actually already enrolled," Lovely said.

"How about you, Rietta?" Lore asked, turning to me.

To be honest, I was still undecided. I had always wanted to attend Taverna University, but I doubted my parents would permit it, especially now that I was entering adolescence.

As I grew older, my resemblance to my parents was becoming increasingly noticeable. My features were maturing, and I was starting to look more and more like a combination of my mother and father. While this might seem like a normal part of growing up, it was a cause for concern for me.

As the princess of Aurora, my parents had always been very protective of me. They had kept me hidden away from the public eye, and I had been homeschooled by private tutors and was only allowed to enter an all-girls academy. But now that I was getting older, I was starting to feel kind of suffocated by the lack of freedom and normalcy in my life.

Attending Taverna University would be a chance for me to experience life outside of the palace, to meet new people and make friends, and to learn in a real classroom environment with different genders that coexists, different people. But it would also come with risks. If people were to recognize me as the princess, it could put me in danger and compromise my family's safety.

I knew that my parents would be hesitant to let me attend Taverna University, and that's why I was still undecided. Part of me wanted to take the risk and seize the opportunity, but another part of me was scared of the potential consequences.

"Home school, I guess. Since I don't want to enroll at Elyseum without you guys there. It's better to have home school than being there, at least I can visit you at Taverna anytime," I said while smiling.

“Even if how much we wanted us to be together but we can’t force your parents to allow you because maybe tomorrow or the next day our entire family’s already blacklisted here in Aurora,” Irene said jokingly. We all laughed at what she said, takot talaga sila kela mommy. Well, who wouldn’t be?

"How about you, Lore?" Jasmin asked Lorelei.

"Theo and I will going to enroll tomorrow morning," Lore replied confidently without hesitation.

"Seems like I heard my handsome name!" Speaking of the devil, we all turned to the door, and my cousin, Matheo, appeared, looking so full of himself as always.

"Hey, beautiful," he said, walking towards Lore.

"Here they are again!" Irene exclaimed, rolling her eyes at the two of them, who were standing close together again.

Sometimes I really wonder who Matheo's real family is - us or Lore's family? I jokingly thought

We continued chatting and playing games until noon, and sometimes, the maids would bring us snacks to eat.

"Let’s swim!" Irene suddenly suggested.

"Nice idea! The weather’s good for swimming too, it’s cloudy," Jasmin agreed.

"Let's go. Matheo, go ask the maid to prepare our towels and cloths by the pool and some food," I ordered, and he immediately followed.

We all quickly went downstairs and headed to the pool, where the maids were already preparing our things.

My friends have some things left here, and I'm the one who told them to store some things here in case we have an impromptu sleepover or something, so they don't need to get their things, and besides, I also have a lot of extra clothes and everything that they can borrow, and the maids here already know about it, so there's no problem even if I'm not here and my friends want to visit or stay, which rarely happens because they don't want to come here without me or Matheo.

I love how they respect me and my family that much.

We started swimming after changing, and I couldn't deny how beautiful the weather was today for swimming. I also didn't get to exercise today, so it's good to swim as an alternative to maintain my body workout.

I climbed out of the pool and sat on the edge, observing my friends as they played and splashed water on each other. Their laughter and shouts filled the air, and I couldn't help but smile as I watched them have so much fun. For a moment, I forgot about my worries and simply enjoyed the carefree atmosphere.

But as I sat there, my mind began to wander, and I found myself thinking about our conversation earlier. Irene, Lovely, Lore, Jasmin, and I had been discussing our plans for college, and I had mentioned my desire to attend Taverna University. They had all been supportive, but I knew it wouldn't be easy to convince my parents.

I pondered how I might persuade my parents to allow me to attend Taverna University for college. I knew they would be hesitant, given the security risks and the fact that I was a member of the royal family. But I was determined to make my case and prove to them that I was ready for this opportunity.

As I sat on the edge of the pool, I began to think about all the reasons why attending Taverna University would be beneficial for me. I would have the chance to learn from some of the best professors in the kingdom, and I would be able to meet new people and make friends outside of the palace. I would also have the opportunity to experience life as a "normal" student, without the constant scrutiny and security that came with being a member of the royal family.

I knew that my parents would be concerned about my safety, but I was willing to work with them to find a solution. I could have a bodyguard or security detail with me at all times, or I could take extra precautions to ensure my safety. I was willing to do whatever it took to make my dream of attending Taverna University a reality.

"Are you okay?" I looked up, hearing Matheo's voice.

"Yes, I guess," I replied, looking down.

"You're not," he said, knowing me too well.

He's my best buddy, after all.

"Tell me what's bothering you," he said, not asking but commanding.

I looked up at him and examined the sky, which was slowly darkening.

"I wonder how I could make my parents agree with me enrolling at Taverna. I'm so scared to even ask or try to convince them; I don't want to be disobedient in their eyes. I don't want to disappoint them," I explained in a low tone because I didn't want the others to hear.

"You want me to talk to them?" Matheo offered, but I declined.

“Thanks, but no, it's fine, really. Aside from you guys being the main reason, of course, I just want to experience being a normal teenager, just like the others, not just being locked up here thinking of all the royal duties and responsibilities," I admitted.

I feel him caressing my hair down to my back.

"Well, that's the reality of being a heiress," he joked before kissing my head.

"Cheer up, dear cousin, you can visit Taverna if you want, and you can always come with me," he added.

"Come with me, your face! You can't even be separated from Lore," I said, and then hit him on the head and laughed.

"But seriously, thank you, I missed this side of you," I said, and then he hugged me.

"Hey, what's going on there! We're here too!" Lovely shouted before they approached us and hugged us too, then suddenly pull us back into the water.

Matheo's right, my parents are not forbidding me to go outside the palace, so I can visit Taverna whenever I want and bond with them. For now, I'll just focus on what I need to do here in the palace so I won't disappoint my parents. I pushed those thoughts aside and enjoyed the day with my friends. Time flies and days pass by.

"Princess, breakfast is ready," my nanny said, so I quickly went out to eat.

While walking down the stairs, I could hear familiar voices. Do my parents have visitors today?

"Good morning!" Lore greeted me cheerfully.

"What are you doing here? You didn't say you were coming," I asked, surprised and smiling, and then I approached her and exchanged kisses.

"This one pulled me here suddenly," he said, pointing at Matheo.

Only the two of them were there because I know the others are busy, especially since school is about to start.

"So, what are you doing here?" I asked again after sitting down beside my mom.

"Nothing, just eating," Matheo replied before taking another bite, making us laugh. He's really something.

They didn't stay long and left, so I stayed in the study room for a while.

I turned to the door when someone knocked and entered. It's my mother, maybe she just needs to finish something here, but for some reason, I can feel some tension in the silence.

"Matheo talked to us," my mom said, and I turned to her, surprised. What might be the reason why my clever cousin talked to them?

"What? Why?" I asked curiously.

"I'll really have Lore put duct tape on my cousin’s mouth," I said on the back of my mind, and I stood up, surprised because my mother suddenly mentioned something about our upcoming school year, where we'll be in college.

“About the upcoming school year where you want to enroll for college,”

Why did Matheo talk to them? I'm sure Lore just convinced him because I know they know I wouldn't say it, but I also want to be with them in the next school year and graduate together in one university. But I know this is beyond our agreement with my mom because Taverna University is too dangerous for me, and I might be exposed to people there, and someone might find out about my true identity if I go there.

My mom and I agreed that I would only go out in public when I'm of the right age and have learned proper etiquette and other things I need to know, especially when facing many people. I should be a good role model for this country.

"I d-don't know why Matheo talked to you, but mom, it's okay if you don't want—" I got cut off

"Your father and I have agreed to your wish," my mom said, and my eyes widened in surprise as I turned to them.

Is what I heard true?

"But there's a condition," my dad said, entering the study room.

I didn't think about what condition they might have. I quickly approached them and hugged them tightly.

"Anything will do, Mom, Dad. I'll do it and follow any condition you give. Thank you so much, thank you! I love you both!" I exclaimed, hugging them.

I quickly ran upstairs to my room and call my friends in our group chat.

"Hello ladies!" I greeted them cheerfully.

"You look so happy," Irene replied, and we started chatting.

"Yes, because my parents finally agreed to let me enroll at Taverna University with you guys!" I exclaimed.

"But let me guess, there is a condition," Jasmin predicted.

"Yes, but that doesn't matter, though. Whatever it is, I'm willing to follow," I said, trying to sound brave.

"I would do and feel the same if I were in your position," Lore said, agreeing with me.

"I agree, and I would do the same thing too,” Jasmin added.

We chatted for a while, and then I had to go because my mom is calling me.

"Mommy is calling me, see you later, babes. Love you all!" I said goodbye, ended the call, and went downstairs.

"Where's mommy?" I asked the first servant I first met downstairs.

"She's in the living room, Princess," the servant replied, so I quickly went to the living room and was surprised to see two older people and a young man with my parents, but I think he's older than me.

I don't know, but I feel like I'm getting nervous while approaching them. My heart suddenly beats faster for no reason.

"Hey there, baby, come here," my dad said, and I quickly walked towards them.

"These are Mr. and Mrs. Kalel of Galicia," my mom introduced.

I approached them, greeted them, and shake their hands.

"It's nice to meet you, I am Hyllee," I said with a smile.

"It was also nice to meet you, dear. Anyway, this is our son, Atticus Cassian Ephraim," Mr. Kalel said.

His name is as long as mine.

I looked at him, and he seemed taken aback, but he didn't say anything. I offered him my hand, and he took it.

"Hello Cassian, I am Hyllee," I said with a smile.

"Just call me Ace," he replied.

But I prefer Cassian.

"He is your fiancé," my mom dropped a bombshell.

I felt like I had been punched in the gut. Fiancé?