CHAPTER 5:EYES THAT SEE TOO MUCH
995 Words
Aurora arrived at school earlier than usual the next morning. The hallways of Moonlight Academy were only half-filled, sunlight filtering through the tall glass windows in soft, golden streaks. Students whispered to each other, still sleepy, still waking up.
She hoped it would be a quiet day.
She hoped he wouldn’t notice her today.
But Philip Nicholas was already there.
The Crown Prince of Crescent Kingdom leaned casually against a marble pillar near the staircase, surrounded by two of his royal guards disguised as “classmates.” He wasn’t talking, just scanning the hall with lazy indifference.
Until she entered.
His eyes landed on her instantly.
It was only a second, one heartbeat, but Aurora felt it like a hand around her wrist. Sharp, intent, unwelcome.
She kept her gaze forward and walked quickly toward her classroom.
But Philip pushed off the pillar.
And began following.
“Morning, Aurora.”
His voice was smooth, confident, and threaded with a kind of arrogant amusement that made her stomach twist.
Aurora stiffened but didn’t stop walking. “Good morning, Your Highness.”
“No need for titles here,” Philip drawled, matching her pace effortlessly. “We’re classmates, aren’t we?”
Barely, she thought.
He had never spoken to her directly before, not more than a passing comment or a raised eyebrow during class. Philip interacted only with people he found useful or entertaining.
Why her?
She kept her posture calm, controlled, and careful.
He walked beside her like someone who owned the floor they were stepping on.
“You walk like someone who’s hiding something,” he said suddenly.
Her heart lurched.
Aurora forced a polite laugh. “I’m just tired. Long night of studying.”
He hummed, unconvinced. “Studying doesn’t make someone flinch every time a shadow moves behind them.”
Aurora nearly tripped.
Philip noticed.
And smiled; a cold, predatory stretch of his lips. “Relax, I’m only observing.”
Exactly the problem, she thought.
They reached the classroom, but Philip blocked the doorway with a hand on the frame.
“Tell me something,” he murmured, leaning in just slightly. “Why do you always sit at the back? A girl like you should be at the front. Seen, not hidden.”
Aurora swallowed. “I prefer quiet places.”
“And I prefer interesting people.” His eyes gleamed. “People who don’t tremble in my presence. You’re different.”
Different.
Dangerous.
Her pulse raced painfully.
He leaned back, finally, letting her enter. “See you in class, Aurora.”
His voice followed her like a shadow.
Aurora sat down at her usual seat, near the window, back row. Tyler arrived moments later, smiling warmly.
“You look distracted,” he said softly. “Are you okay?”
Just his voice steadied her.
She forced a smile. “I’m fine.”
But she wasn’t. She could feel Philip’s gaze burning holes into her back. She didn’t dare turn around.
Tyler noticed her tension. His brows furrowed. “Did something happen?”
Aurora hesitated.
No one could know. Not about last night, not about the hunger, not about Philip’s sudden interest.
“Just a long night,” she whispered.
Tyler nodded slowly, his hand brushing hers as he set his books down. “If you need anything, you can talk to me.”
Warmth, safety, human kindness.
She breathed easier.
“Aurora.”
Philip’s voice echoed as he entered the classroom.
Every head turned. The crown prince rarely acknowledged anyone outside his circle.
But now, he walked straight to the back row.
Straight to her.
He placed his hands on her desk and leaned forward, his shadow falling across her books.
“I forgot to return this.” He held out her hair ribbon, black silk with a silver bead.
Aurora blinked. “That’s not mine.”
Philip’s smile widened like he had been waiting for her to say that. “No?
Strange, I found it near the forest boundary last night.”
Aurora’s blood froze.
Tyler looked between them, confused.
Philip tapped the ribbon on her desk. “If it’s not yours, perhaps you can tell me who else wanders the woods so late.”
Aurora’s breath caught. Her fingers trembled beneath the desk.
Philip’s eyes sparkled with interest, or was it suspicion?
He stood straight again. “Keep it,” he said lightly. “Maybe it will remind you to be more careful.”
Then he walked away, taking his seat at the front of the room like nothing unusual had happened.
But Aurora felt exposed.
Hunted.
Seen.
Tyler leaned in, voice barely a whisper. “Aurora? Why would he think you were in the woods?”
She forced her breath steady. “I don’t know.”
It was a lie, and it tasted bitter.
Class began, but Philip watched her through the reflections in the window glass.
Each time she shifted.
Each time she breathed unevenly.
Each time sunlight brushed her skin just a little too lightly.
He was studying her.
Observing her.
Trying to understand what made her different.
Aurora kept her eyes down the entire lesson.
When the bell rang, Aurora hurried to pack her things. Tyler helped, noticing how her fingers shook.
“Let me walk you home,” he said gently.
Aurora opened her mouth, but Philip appeared beside them as he had materialized from the air.
“No need,” Philip said. “I’ll walk her.”
Tyler stiffened. “She didn’t ask you.”
Philip tilted his head, amused. “She doesn’t need to.”
Aurora quickly stood. “I’m fine walking alone.”
Philip’s eyes narrowed slightly, studying her again. “Interesting, most girls would faint if I offered.”
“I’m not most girls,” she whispered.
Philip smiled.
A slow, knowing smile that made every bone in her body tense.
“I’ve noticed.”
He left the classroom without another word.
But Aurora’s fear stayed behind, curling into her ribs.
- Writer
