A New Start
The grand marble halls of Siant Athepia echoed with footsteps as Atta walked alone. His head was lowered, his pale face betraying the weight of memories he wished he could erase.
But the whispers followed him.
"Why is a commoner human here?"
"He looks so thin… can he even fight?"
"Doesn't he know this class is for nobles?"
Each word cut sharper than a blade. And though they thought they whispered quietly, Atta could hear every syllable—Azeon's presence still lingered, amplifying his senses. He kept walking in silence, fists clenched, refusing to respond.
A flicker of memory seized him.
The summit.
King Rauf, his father, agreeing at last to Prince Cassius's proposal. The compromise: Atta would remain at Siant Athepia, but not as a prince. He would walk these halls as a common human student, stripped of status. Rauf had resisted at first, asking sharp questions of Cassius—questions, and answers, hidden now like shadows waiting to resurface. But in the end, he agreed.
And so here Atta was.
When he entered his first class—telepathy—the whispers grew louder. Dozens of noble eyes turned toward him, curiosity and disdain intermingling. Atta's jaw tightened.
But then—he saw her.
Princess Isha, seated quietly near the front. Her gaze softened when it met his, and to his surprise, she smiled gently. She tapped the empty seat beside her, gesturing for him to sit.
Atta froze. His chest tightened as guilt slammed into him. He remembered—Azeon, through his body, throwing her into a tree. Hurting her.
He hesitated.
But Isha's smile didn't waver. She gestured again.
Finally, Atta forced his legs to move, slipping into the seat beside her.
"You're looking better," Isha said warmly, her voice light as a breeze. "I guess your palace has skilled healers."
Atta nodded silently, eyes fixed on the desk. His voice came out low, almost breaking.
"I'm… sorry. For what happened. I wasn't in control."
For a moment, Isha studied him, her expression unreadable. Then she chuckled softly, leaning closer.
"It's okay. I understand. Remember—royal families' memories weren't erased."
Atta flinched, the guilt twisting deeper.
"But you were looking after me… and I hurt you."
Her smile softened, warm enough to melt the ice around his heart.
"I know. Then do me a favor. If you really want forgiveness… don't bring it up again. Deal?"
Atta finally lifted his eyes. For a moment, he was stunned. How could she forgive him so easily? Yet her smile was so genuine that his lips curled into something he hadn't felt in days—a small, sweet smile. He nodded.
And for the first time since Azeon awakened, Atta felt a flicker of peace.
But it didn't last.
The door opened with a crash, and Prince Ethan strode into the classroom. His gaze locked instantly on Atta, eyes burning with hatred. The weight of his anger filled the room like fire.
Atta's fragile smile faded. The storm wasn't over yet.
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To Be Continued...