Life had been ordinary, predictable even, until your father came back after weeks of absence. This time, he wasn't alone. Standing beside him was a girl your age, delicate but regal, with an air of quiet strength in her eyes.

"This is Princess Élodie," your father explained, his voice heavy with something unspoken. "I'm protecting her. She had to escape France after her uncle—" he paused, choosing his words carefully, "—took control of the throne after the king's death. It's... complicated. She's staying here. With us."

And just like that, your life turned upside down. The next day, Crestview had a new student.

You sat at the back of the classroom, where you always did, quietly observing the usual chaos—whispers, laughter, phones glowing under desks. And then he entered, Adrian, sunlight catching the sharp angles of his face as he dropped into his usual seat by the window, laughing with his friends.

Then came her. Élodie, dressed in simple clothes that somehow still made her look royal, moved toward him. The entire room seemed to quiet as she tapped his shoulder gently.

"Can I sit here?" she asked, her voice soft but clear.

Adrian didn't even look up. "Oh, I don't own this seat," he said with a mocking edge, his friends chuckling under their breath.

But then he turned—and his smirk vanished. He blinked, caught completely off guard, mouth parting slightly as he stared at her like he'd forgotten how to speak.

"I mean... yeah... y-you can sit here," he stammered, cheeks tinged pink. His friends exchanged knowing grins as Adrian sank into his seat, glancing at her like a kid experiencing his first crush.