Suddenly, the sound of approaching footsteps echoed through the clearing. Prince Leon arrived, flanked by his own guards, their armor glinting in the dim light. His sharp gaze swept over the scene—Hudson, the masked soldiers, the palace guards, and me, standing amidst the chaos.
"What happened, Hudson? Who was that?" Prince Leon demanded, voice steady but edged with authority. His eyes flicked between us, searching for answers.
I was still trembling with rage, my fists clenched tightly at my sides. The fire in my eyes hadn't dimmed. Without thinking, I took a step toward Prince Leon, a surge of defiance rising within me—only to be halted by Hudson's urgent whisper.
"Don't you dare speak about this," Hudson hissed, his voice low and threatening, as if warning me to stay silent.
I turned my glare on him, eyes blazing with fury and tears threatening to spill. My jaw clenched so tightly it ached. Without a word, I forcefully brushed past him, making him stumble backward.
"Ask your brother, Your Highness," I said coldly, my voice flat and emotionless despite the storm inside. I straightened my posture, fixed my eyes on Prince Leon, and with deliberate grace, I curtsied. The ripped sleeves of my dress clung to my trembling hands as I clutched them tightly.
Then, without another glance, I turned and walked away, leaving the chaos behind me.
-----
The next day, Miss Julia and I stood silently before the grand doors of the King's office, anticipation thick in the air. We had been summoned, but inside, the tension was palpable. The muffled voices of the King and Hudson echoed from within, their heated argument spilling into the corridor.
Suddenly, the door swung open. Hudson appeared, his face tense and flushed from the confrontation. As soon as his eyes met mine, he moved with purpose, grabbing my arm with a grip that was both urgent and possessive. Before I could protest or pull away, he dragged me down the corridor.
We reached the grounds outside the palace, the air heavy with unspoken words. Hudson released me abruptly, and I clutched my aching arm, glaring at him with a mixture of hurt and fury.
He turned toward me, hands on his hips, breath ragged from the confrontation. His eyes bore into mine, searching, demanding.
"I want you to break off our engagement," he declared, voice cold and unwavering.
I remained silent, my lips pressed into a thin line. The words hung between us like a heavy curtain.
"Whether you like it or not, this," he said, pointing sharply between us, "is not gonna work out. You better wake up from your fantasy."
I rolled my eyes, my voice dripping with disdain. "I never wanted this, asshole!"
Just as I was about to turn and walk away, he seized my arm again, his grip tighter this time. "I'm warning you! I am desperate enough to do everything just to leave here," he hissed, voice low but threatening.
With a forceful shove, he pushed me back. I didn't bother to look at him again, my focus fixed on the path ahead as I strode past him, ignoring the burning ache in my arm and the pounding of my heart.
As I neared the palace doors, I paused and looked back at him. My voice was steady, laced with resolve. "The last time I checked, you needed me more than I needed you."
-----
Miss Julia and the King's eyes widened in shock. The King's voice trembled with concern. "What do you mean, you're withdrawing?"
I took a deep breath, steadying myself. "I want out," I said firmly, voice unwavering. "I don't want the money or anything else you'll offer. I'm leaving."
The King's face softened, almost pleading. "Is this what happened last night? Please, I promise you—Hudson and Calixta are not together anymore. And I will personally see to Hunter."
Miss Julia stepped forward, her gaze filled with sympathy and worry. "You've only been here a week," she said softly. "I don't think you're ready to give up. "
If only she knew what Hudson did to me. If only she knew the depths of the betrayal, the pain I endured in silence. That knowledge would surely change her mind.
"I am so sorry," I whispered, emotion slipping into my voice, but I quickly masked it with cold indifference. "But I am leaving. I refuse to stay any longer."
Miss Julia's expression hardened, her voice firm as she said, "If you're going to leave, you'll leave with nothing." Her words were almost a warning, as if trying to sway me back into submission.
But there was no turning back now. No amount of money, no promises, could buy my life or my freedom.
-----
The King's voice echoed with a rare note of diplomacy. "As your King, I am asking for a month to reconsider. You and Hudson will take a break from your public appearances. If, after that, you still wish to part ways, I will not stand in your way. As a gesture of goodwill, I will still honor your scholarship."
That offer was difficult to refuse. The promise of a break, a chance to breathe, and the scholarship—an opportunity to secure my future—made it hard to turn away. I hesitated only briefly before nodding in agreement.
Later that afternoon, Miss Julia found me again. Her expression was cautious, but hopeful. "We've looked into it," she said softly. "You're already a senior. The King wants you to finish your high school education at the Royal Academy, so you'll have better college opportunities afterward. If you agree, we'll enroll you immediately."
I stared at her, a flicker of skepticism crossing my mind. Is this how the royal family fixes Hudson's mess? Bribing people with promises? It's a bitter pill to swallow, but perhaps it's a necessary one.
Well, I could be tempted by bribes, but never truly bought. The offer was enticing—graduating from the most prestigious school in the world would open doors to college and beyond. If I couldn't get my reward money, opportunities like this were just as valuable.
I took a deep breath, considering the path ahead. My voice was steady, resolute. "That would be great, Miss Julia. Please convey my gratitude to the King."
------
I was hurriedly fixing my things for school when I caught sight of my old, battered backpack. Inside, I found my taped-up brick phone—still not replaced, thanks to the security restrictions. I hesitated for a moment before turning it on. Instantly, messages flooded the inbox, a flood of notifications I hadn't seen in weeks. I scrolled through them, my heart sinking. Not a single message from my grandparents. I pressed the call button, desperation rising—only to be met with the same silence. No answer.
Miss Julia had tried to contact them too, but they wouldn't respond. That was the most heartbreaking thing I'd experienced since I won that day. I'd expected it, though. My grandpa was never a fan of the royal family—hell, he hated them, hated me, maybe even more. Now that I was here, I could feel it—he despised me, and perhaps, in some way, he was relieved he'd never had to feed or raise me.
My tears threatened to spill over when Miss Julia appeared silently at my door. Her voice was gentle but firm. "The car is here to take you to the airport."
I didn't reply. I just gathered my things, trying to hold back the ache in my chest.
The drive to the private hangar felt surreal. When I stepped out of the car, I saw it—a gleaming, majestic aircraft unlike anything I'd ever seen. The Royal Air. The royal family's private jet. The sheer luxury of it made me wonder if the King was trying to impress me — a thought I joked to myself, a bitter smile tugging at my lips.
Miss Julia appeared beside me, her expression calm but caring. She pulled out a sleek brown leather briefcase. "My assistant secretary will meet you in Halstead," she said softly. "Inside, you'll find your papers, ATM card, and a phone. You'll be receiving your allowance weekly, and you can call me anytime if you have any problems."
I nodded, feeling a mixture of gratitude and unease. "Thank you," I managed to say, my voice barely above a whisper.
She smiled warmly. "You're welcome. Enjoy your stay at the Academy."