As I stepped onto the plane, the pilot, two stewardesses greeted me. I bowed in gratitude. One stewardess took my briefcase and my suitcase. One led me inside. I was immediately struck by the sheer opulence surrounding me. The interior was a seamless blend of sleek modern design and regal elegance. Plush, cream-colored leather seats lined the cabin, each one spacious enough to swallow me whole, with gold accents gleaming softly under the ambient lighting. The windows were tinted, offering a panoramic view of the clouds beyond, as if I were floating in a private heaven.
I was momentarily lost in admiration of the plane's opulence when my eyes landed on an imposing figure seated in one of the chairs facing the entrance. He was wearing dark sunglasses, his legs crossed comfortably, exuding an air of effortless confidence. I didn't need a second glance to recognize him—Hudson.
He lowered his sunglasses slowly, raised an eyebrow at me, and his gaze dripped with condescension. The smirk on his face was both mocking and predatory. My stomach tightened, and without thinking, I took a step backward, my mind flashing with a sudden urge to leave, to cancel the entire plan. But it was too late—the doors had already sealed shut behind me, and the stewardess was motioning me to sit across from Hudson.
I shook my head instinctively and moved to the vacant seat on the other side of the cabin, far from him. Hudson's sneer deepened as he signaled to the stewardess, and almost immediately, the curtain was drawn closed for privacy.
"I guess you're not really leaving," Hudson drawled, removing his sunglasses slowly, as if savoring the moment. His tone was laced with a cruel amusement. "As they say, once you taste luxury, it's hard to let go." His eyes—hidden behind the dark lenses—now gleamed with judgment as he studied me up and down.
I just rolled my eyes and looked out the window, pretending he wasn't there. The clouds drifted lazily outside, the vast sky a stark contrast to the suffocating tension inside.
Hudson leaned back, crossing his arms. "I already warned you. I'm going to get what I want, no matter what it takes," he said, voice sharp with certainty.
Turning to him, I kept my expression blank, devoid of emotion. "Do whatever you want," I replied coldly. "I don't give a damn."
"I'm here because the King asked me to stay," I said, my voice flat and matter-of-fact.
Hudson smirked, the cruel edge of his smile creeping across his face. "But don't tell me you're not enjoying this."
I summoned every ounce of strength I had to keep from lashing out. Instead, I sneered, aiming to deflect his arrogance. "But you do, right? I mean, the things you enjoy for free—because the people pay for it."
Hudson clenched his jaw, his glare sharp and cold. His eyes flickered with anger and something darker, but he said nothing. Instead, he simply stared at me, a silent challenge.
Ah, the thrill of winning an argument—however small—never failed to give me a twisted sense of satisfaction.
Just as I was about to savor the moment, the stewardess entered, her calm voice cutting through the tense air. "We're about to depart. Please fasten your seatbelts."
It was my first time on a plane, and I had no idea what I was supposed to do. I stole a quick glance at Hudson, who was already sliding his seatbelt into place with practiced ease. My eyes lingered on him, and the moment our gazes met, I felt the world crumbling into embarrassment. I quickly looked away, awkwardly smiling at the stewardess, who immediately understood my confusion.
Before she could step forward, Hudson stood abruptly and approached me. He crouched down, facing me, his hands resting casually on my armrests. His breath was close, a breath away from me.
He turned to the stewardess. "It's my... darling's... first time flying. I'll take it from here."
The stewardess nodded politely and left.
I shifted in my seat, trying to put space between us, wishing the earth would swallow me whole at that moment.
Hudson's gaze didn't waver. He slowly reached over and unfastened the seatbelt on my side, then deliberately pulled the band across my lap, fastening it with slow, calculated precision. When he finished, he leaned his head just beside mine, his whisper low and dangerous.
"You really should choose your battles wisely.Believe me, crossing me isn't in your best interest," he murmured, voice dripping with menace.
Then, without another word, he settled back into his seat, leaving me trembling with discomfort and fury, wishing I could disappear into the sky.
-----
The entire two-hour flight was the most uncomfortable experience of my life. I trembled during takeoff, desperately trying to hide it. I was offered delicious meals and drinks, but I declined everything. The view from my window, usually breathtaking, did nothing to calm my nerves.
When we finally landed at another private hangar, we were met by a professional-looking woman with an enthusiastic smile.
"Welcome back to Halstead, Your Highness," she said, turning her attention to Hudson.
Hudson barely glanced at her. Instead, he headed straight for the waiting SUV. In a moment, the car pulled away, leaving us behind.
"But... what about Miss Margaret?" her voice trailed off, worry flickering across her face. She turned to me and forced a smile. "I suppose we'll have to wait. Welcome to Halstead, Miss Margaret. I'm Miss Jennifer."
Seeing Hudson had already left, I rushed to a corner of the lot and vomited. I felt sick the entire flight.
"Are you okay, Miss?" Miss Jennifer asked, handing me a handkerchief. I accepted it gratefully.
She motioned for us to go inside the hangar. I was seated in a corner and offered a bottle of water. I was in the middle of drinking when a phone call from my briefcase cut through the silence. I fished it out and saw an unknown number flashing on the screen.
I answered.
Before I could say a word, a very familiar, terrifying male voice spoke.
"At the academy, don't you dare tell anyone about us. You will say nothing about the engagement, where you came from, or anything that might make them think you know me. And... don't let me see you."
He ended the call.
A sharp, annoyed scream escaped me. "Aaaahhhhh!!!"
Miss Jennifer jumped in surprise. "Ah...are you okay?" she asked, worried.
I just nodded while clenching my fists.
-----
Miss Jennifer dropped me off at a luxurious hotel in the city. Before she left, she treated me to dinner.
"All your papers are ready. I'll help you settle into the academy tomorrow," she said, slicing through her steak.
"Can you tell the academy not to disclose my engagement to Prince Hudson?" I asked.
She raised an eyebrow. "Why not?"
"Umm, you know, my engagement was unconventional, and I don't want people talking about it."
"Oh. Okay. I think I can do that. Any other requests?"
"Can I use my grandmother's last name? Del Valle? I would like to go as Margaret Del Valle," I said hoping for reconsideration.
"Well, it would take some time, but, I can inform the Academy for the meantime," Miss Jennifer finally said after thinking some time.
Miss Jennifer and I parted ways at the hotel lobby. After seeing her off, I noticed some staff members scrambling toward the grand entrance. About ten people lined each side, and then an imposing figure entered. The staff bowed as he passed. I squinted to see who it was. My heart skipped a beat—the shoulder-length hair looked so familiar. Hunter?
He stopped to speak with the hotel manager. As he looked around, I immediately crouched behind a low glass table, hiding from view. A few seconds later, I thought he had left.
But when I looked up, I froze. Hunter was staring down at me.
My blood ran cold.
"What are you doing here?" he asked, as if I'd done something wrong. "Just so you know, it's hard to miss your white head."
I looked down, trembling. "I'll be attending the academy," I whispered.
Suddenly, his hand reached out and pulled me to my feet. His piercing green eyes bore into mine.
"I can't hear you," he said.
I stammered in fear. "I... I'll be attending the academy."
He sneered, then let me go. "I'll see you there," he said coldly before turning and walking away.
It took me a few more minutes to gather my composure. Why would he see me there?