Amara barely slept that night.
The palace guest room was larger than her entire apartment. The bed was soft, the walls were decorated with elegant paintings, and the window overlooked the enormous palace gardens.
But none of that helped her relax.
Her mind kept repeating the same thought.
I'm going to school with the Crown Prince.
She groaned and buried her face in the pillow.
"This is insane…"
Morning came too quickly.
A palace maid gently knocked on the door.
"Miss Vale? Breakfast is ready."
Amara slowly got out of bed and got dressed in her school uniform. Looking at herself in the mirror felt strange.
Same uniform.
Same girl.
But everything else had changed.
When she walked downstairs, the palace dining room was already prepared.
Adrian was sitting at the table, drinking coffee while scrolling through his phone.
He looked up when she entered.
"You look tired."
Amara sat down across from him.
"I didn't sleep."
"Expected."
She stared at him.
"How are you so calm about all this?"
Adrian shrugged slightly.
"I've lived with it my entire life."
Amara sighed.
Lucky him.
After breakfast, the palace driver was already waiting outside.
But this time, something was different.
There were more guards.
Amara noticed them immediately.
"Is all this really necessary?"
Adrian opened the car door for her.
"After yesterday's headlines? Yes."
The ride to school was quiet.
But as the academy gates came into view…
Amara's stomach dropped.
Students were everywhere.
And they were all staring.
The royal car slowly entered the campus.
Whispers spread instantly.
"That's the palace car!"
"Is the prince inside?"
"Wait… is that the scholarship girl with him?"
Phones appeared.
Cameras started recording.
Amara wanted to disappear.
The car stopped in front of the main building.
Adrian stepped out first.
Students immediately gathered closer.
Then Amara stepped out beside him.
The crowd gasped.
Someone whispered loudly.
"She really came with him…"
Another student muttered.
"She stayed at the palace, didn't she?"
Amara felt her face heat up.
This was worse than she imagined.
Adrian noticed the crowd and spoke calmly.
"Stay close."
She nodded.
They began walking toward the entrance.
But before they could reach the doors—
A familiar voice cut through the crowd.
"Well well."
Vanessa.
She stood at the top of the stairs with her cheerleader friends behind her.
Her arms were crossed.
And her smile was anything but friendly.
"I see the rumors were true."
Everyone grew quiet.
Vanessa slowly walked down the steps.
"So," she continued loudly, making sure everyone could hear.
"You spent the night at the palace."
The crowd gasped again.
Amara froze.
Vanessa tilted her head.
"How does a scholarship student manage that?"
Her friends snickered.
Adrian's expression darkened.
"Watch your words."
Vanessa ignored him.
She looked directly at Amara.
"You must be very talented."
The insult was obvious.
Some students looked uncomfortable.
Others were already recording the moment on their phones.
Amara took a deep breath.
Then finally spoke.
"I didn't ask for any of this."
Vanessa laughed.
"Oh please."
She leaned closer and whispered just loud enough for people nearby to hear.
"Girls like you always do."
Adrian stepped forward instantly.
"That's enough."
But the damage was already done.
A student nearby whispered to their friend.
"Did you hear that?"
Another phone camera zoomed in.
And within seconds—
The video was already being uploaded online.
Vanessa smirked.
Amara didn't know it yet.
But by lunchtime…
The entire internet would be watching that moment.