Chapter 5...Starting to Show
563 Words
In our homeroom. “Thanks for waiting earlier," Mia replied, her voice warm.
I smiled. “No problem—that’s what friends are for, right?”
“It was nothing, Mia. Good morning,” Tyler added with a polite nod.
Yeah, thanks. Nice to see you,” Mia said back. She glanced toward the front of the room. “We should be getting to our other class now.”
I hesitated, fidgeting a little. “Um… what about taking a walk in the school garden?”
Mia raised a brow. “…But we have class soon.”
“Yeah, soon,” I insisted. “So let’s go to the garden already!”
Mia sighed, giving me her classic tired look, but her lips curved into a smug little smile. “Fine. I’ll tag along—just to keep you out of trouble.”
“Yeah! Come on!” I beamed, practically bouncing with excitement.
Tyler placed his textbooks on his desk. “Bye, girls. I’m going to stay and get ready for class.”
“Okay, sure. See you soon,” I said with a wave. Pulling Mia along. She pretended to be annoyed, but I caught the little smile tugging at her lips.
Together, Mia and I headed down the corridor.
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Inside one of the castle's many sitting rooms. The tall windows cast thin streams of light into the sitting room, illuminating the storm brewing on King Robert’s face.
“I can’t believe that boy sometimes,” the king muttered, pacing heavily.
The butler stood calmly. “Your Majesty, you have already given him your consent. There is nothing more we can do.”
“Yes, you are right,” King Robert said with a sharp exhale. “There is no turning back now. I already gave him an answer. What has been done can’t be changed, no matter how you try.”
“Wise words, Your Majesty,” the butler replied respectfully. “Still… I believe the young master will make his life as a commoner work."
King Robert’s eyes darkened. “If only you could stop him from going to school and return him to his studies—his duty to rule this country.”
His voice suddenly thundered, shaking the silence of the room. “NO! He is my son and the first prince of this nation! He needs to stop playing around and ruining his reputation as my heir!”
The butler bowed his head. “As you command, sire. I will try my best to convince the young master to stop pretending to be a commoner,” replied the butler swiftly.
“Enough,” the king snapped. “You are dismissed.”
As the butler retreated, the air shifted. From the shadows at the edge of the room, a young woman with flowing white hair and a black hoodie emerged. Her footsteps were quiet, her presence as sharp as a steel blade.
“I’m here, sir. What is my mission?” she asked, her voice steady and cold.
King Robert’s gaze narrowed. He handed her a folder, its weight heavy despite holding only a single document. “You are to meet me before dawn.” His tone was firm, almost unforgiving.
She bowed low, clutching the folder to her chest. “Yes, sir."
Without another word, she slipped back into the darkness from which she came.
- Writer
