It was the day of… well, LOL no need for too much description there.
But for the boys, there was one thing they were looking forward to.
One person.
Especially Ethan.
"Sir, your bath is ready now."
Ethan's personal maid, Clara, spoke softly as she took a respectful step back.
The former head maid had been demoted recently. She had tried to seduce him the day before. Not in a careless or foolish way either—she was experienced, confident, and anyone else might have been tempted.
But Ethan wasn't just anyone.
He had grown up watching the love between his father and mother. Real love. Steady love. And because of that, he still believed it existed.
He had made a decision early in life.
To wait.
To keep himself for the one person he could see a lifetime with.
That belief had earned him attention… and rumors.
His classmates and other elites had come up with different stories. Now gossip was spreading that he was either gay or too hard to please.
Even his father had called once to confirm.
But Ethan had simply answered the same way he always did.
He was fine.
He related with girls just fine.
But when it came to relationships… no.
Not because he couldn't.
Because he wouldn't settle.
Not until it felt real.
Not until it was right.
He was easy to talk to… but not easy to fool.
"Thank you," he replied calmly, signaling Clara to leave.
She bowed slightly and stepped out with quiet respect.
The door closed behind her.
In the shower, warm water fell steadily as Ethan let his thoughts drift.
School.
Francis.
His other friends.
But mostly Francis.
He had been his closest friend for years. Not just a friend… his best friend. His Best friend since he'd been with him through his highs and lows.
This was their final year in high school.
A year where everything mattered.
People would be accepted or rejected.
Moved forward or left behind.
Broken or built.
This was the year that decided who would continue into the academy level of Royal Elite education.
And nothing there was simple.
Not studies.
Not status.
Not even friendships.
But somehow, Ethan had it easy.
Almost too easy.
Top social standing.
Highly respected.
No enemies.
No scandals that stuck.
Easy communication with everyone.
Handsome.
Composed.
Understanding when needed.
And the list went on.
Sometimes it felt like the world had already placed him above everyone else.
Yet he never felt above anything.
A commotion outside broke his thoughts.
Then a voice.
"How long do you take to bathe, bro? We need to be early before Aura arrives." Francis said getting closer to Ethan's room.
Ethan let out a small groan from inside the bathroom.
'She's all he's talked about since this week.'
He shook his head slightly.
'Let's see how great she is… and how she can stand him if this is how he acts around her.'
He turned off the water and wrapped a towel around himself.
Standing before the mirror, he studied himself briefly.
Then exhaled.
Maybe a gym session wouldn't hurt.
He was starting to lose definition.
And if there was one thing he always took seriously…
It was his body.
His discipline.
After getting ready, they left the palace together.
Ethan chose a luxurious van—low-key on the outside, breath-taking on the inside. The kind of comfort only someone used to it would recognize instantly.
Francis, as usual, kept talking.
Ethan mostly listened.
They arrived at school early and stayed at the parking lot.
Waiting.
Francis kept glancing around impatiently.
"Relax," Ethan said flatly.
"For the thousandth time, you look great. More than usual. You sure put a lot of effort into this 'normal school day'," Francis replied.
Ethan sighed.
"You're the only one making it dramatic."
Then he stepped out of the van.
They began walking forward.
And then—
A car arrived.
Francis immediately straightened.
"There."
He was excited again. Nervous too, though he would never admit it.
He checked himself again.
Ethan watched him quietly.
"You look fine," Ethan said. "For the thousandth time."
Francis ignored him and stepped forward first.
Ethan followed slowly.
His eyes shifted.
A girl stood at the other side of the car, dressed in the official Monday uniform.
Not that the school cared much about uniforms. Most elites wore it differently anyway.
But on her…
It looked different.
Balanced.
Effortless.
Perfect without trying.
Her figure stood out without asking for attention.
Then she turned.
And Ethan stopped.
Just for a second.
Maybe less.
But something inside him shifted.
His breath caught.
His heart didn't just react.
It spiked.
Fast.
Uncontrolled.
Like something had just crossed into territory he didn't know existed.
He stared.
And for the first time in a long time…
Ethan Cole didn't have a thought ready.
Only one realization slowly forming in his mind.
'…who is she?'
And just like that…
Everything began.