Chapter 41
(Lily’s POV)
The first day back at school came in a blink of an eye.
I stood in front of the mirror, adjusting my collar and smoothing down the pleats of my new uniform, wondering if everything that had happened in the past few days had been real- or just a dream I wasn’t ready to wake up from.
Lucien’s words from the morning before still echoed in my head: “I am serious about us. Be my future bride.”
I had stared at him, stunned for minutes, my mouth slightly parted. He had taken a slow breath and said, “I don’t know exactly when it happened. Maybe it was when you started standing up for yourself and didn’t let the mockery, bullying in school get to you, or maybe it’s the way you dot on your friends and people important to you. You’re not just beautiful, Lily… you’re brave, honest, and amazing. And somewhere between watching you laugh and seeing you cry, I fell in love with you. I’m not asking for forever, I just want a chance… with you.”
“What about finding your mate?” I asked, barely above a whisper.
Lucien had looked away then, something sharp flashing in his eyes. “There’s no mate for me,” he said quietly. “And if there is, she’s dead to me. I choose you!”
His statement broke my heart more… I knew what it was like to have your mate be with someone else, it was painful and heartbreaking. I wasn’t going to cause another lady pain.
So, I shook my head slowly. “I can’t, Lucien. I can’t do that to you and your mate. I’ve seen what the mate bond can do… I won’t let you gamble with your future like that.”
His jaw clenched tight. “You still like my stupid cousin, huh? Is that why you’re declining my offer?” he asked through gritted teeth.
I shook my head again, blinking away the tears that started to gather. “I’m doing it for you… And don’t ever call him stupid again.”
Our little moment shattered into silence. He didn’t argue, but he didn’t smile either. We just sat in that heavy quiet, each drowning in our thoughts. The evening ended like a chapter closed too soon.
I hadn’t seen Zion since then, not once. He had vanished from the hallways and gardens as though avoiding me on purpose. It hurt more than I wanted to admit.
But now, as I stared at my new school uniform… the one the King had specially arranged for me, I was thrilled- thrilled about the fact that I would be seeing Zion today.
A knock pulled me from my thoughts.
“Lily! We’re going to be late!” Zelda’s voice called.
I opened the door, and she paused, looking me up and down with a teasing grin. “You look amazing,” she said, twirling her finger. “That uniform was made for you.”
I laughed softly, nerves fluttering in my belly. “Thanks.”
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12:48 Wed, Jul 30
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Chapter 41
We walked down together, and my heart skipped when we reached the grand foyer. The King and Queen were waiting, dressed regally even at this hour.
“Oh, look at you,” Queen Eden said with a warm smile. “You’re all grown up.”
The King nodded in approval. “You look like our baby girl.”
Something swelled in my chest as I hugged them both tightly. They didn’t know how much those words meant to me.
When Zelda asked, “Where’s everyone else?” the Queen replied with a gentle smile, “They’re already outside. Waiting in the garage.”
We bade them farewell and stepped out into the sunlit palace grounds.
Then I saw it.
Two sleek black cars were parked outside. In one, Zion sat beside Celeste. The passenger window was rolled down, and he barely glanced at me before turning to the chauffeur and muttering, “Let’s go.”
Celeste, smug as ever, waved at me with a knowing smirk. She leaned in closer to him like she belonged there.
My chest ached.
In the second car, Lucien sat calmly in the backseat, eyes hidden behind dark sunglasses. His posture was relaxed, but something in the set of his jaw said otherwise.
Zelda had already slid into the seat beside him. “Lily!” she called out. “Get in already!”
I took a slow breath, walked toward the car, and whispered under my breath, “Let’s get this over with.”
***
When we arrived at school, the atmosphere felt charged.
Celeste instantly grabbed Zion’s arm and strutted through the school corridors with confidence, pulling him along like a trophy.
Lucien, Zelda, and I walked behind them. Students moved aside, creating a path, and whispers followed in our wake.
“Wow, they look perfect together,” someone said, clearly referring to Celeste and Zion.
But when their eyes flicked to Lucien and me- standing apart, with Zelda in the middle–there was visible disappointment.
“Isn’t that the girl who lives in the palace now?” another student whispered, stunning me. I wondered how they knew.
“Yeah… she’s related to them,” another replied. “But she’s not even holding her boyfriend’s hand.”
The memories of Zion and Lucien’s first confrontation lingered in my mind, the students were now aware of my connection.
to the royals. And now… now I was physically here, walking beside them like I belonged.
Celeste’s friends and other students soon approached us. Her minions squealed and clung to her.
“You’re glowing!” one of them gushed. “The short break did you good.”
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12:48 Wed, Jul 30
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སཱཊཱི, 79%i
O X
20)
Chapter 41
Celeste chuckled, flicking her hair over her shoulder. “Well, I’ve been in the palace. With my boyfriend,” she said pointedly, casting a glance at Zion, who stood emotionless.
Then she hugged him with deliberate slowness, pressing herself against him and throwing me one final glance before walking off, her clique dragging her down the hallway.
Zion gave Kade, the principal’s son, a fist bump and a side hug. As they walked off, I caught a quick flicker of Zion’s eyes.. it was just a second he glanced back at me, his expression didn’t shift but that fleeting moment made my heart stumble.
I turned to Lucien and gave him a small look- more like a question. Wasn’t he supposed to be with them?
But then I remembered that Zion and he weren’t on good terms…
He caught my gaze and smiled faintly. “I need to check something in the library. Catch you later?”
I nodded and watched him walk off, then I turned to Zelda. But before either of us could speak, the air in the hallway shifted. All heads turned.
Dev, Aria, and Tobe.
They walked in like they owned the place… confident, and poised. My heart swelled with pride.
I stepped forward with arms wide open, ready to welcome them but they walked right past me.
No smile. No hug. Nothing.
I stood frozen, my hands still awkwardly raised.
Only Dev casted a glance— not at me, but at Zelda. It lingered for a heartbeat, and something flickered in his eyes before he looked away.
Zelda’s cheeks turned crimson. She didn’t say a word. She just turned and ran off to her class.
And I? I stood there like I was invisible.
What had just happened?
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