The rumors did not explode in one day. They spread slowly, like perfume drifting through a crowded ballroom.
It wasn't intense yet,Soft at first. Subtle. Then impossible to ignore. Over the next two days, Ethan and Stephanie appeared together more often. I. Strategic places.
Not everywhere, not always, but enough. Enough for people to notice. Enough for whispers to begin.
They walked through crowded corridors side by side. They spoke quietly during breaks. Stephanie leaned closer when she laughed. Ethan did not pull away. He didn't even threaten a punishment.
That alone was enough to ignite speculation. Because everyone knew Prince Ethan did not do that. He was friendly, yes. Warm when he chose to be. But there was always distance. A quiet boundary no one crossed.
Except now, that distance seemed… gone.
"I saw them near the courtyard."
"They were talking really close."
"Do you think they're back together?"
"They must be. He never stands that close to girls."
Stephanie's friends carried the rumors first. Soft conversations. Curious questions. Then statements. Then certainty. By the afternoon of the second day, the school was already half convinced. They just needed a final blow, and it was coming soon, like a ride...
"They're dating again."
" It could be for council stuff...
" Alone, and just the two of them? You'd think prince Ethan would avoid speculation. It's not something the Cole family would enjoy."
Aura heard it near the staircase.
Two girls whispered behind her.
"I heard she went to see him personally."
"They look good together honestly. But I'm a bit jealous."
Aura kept walking.
Her expression remained calm. Her steps steady. But something inside her tightened. She told herself it meant nothing. Just rumors. Just assumptions. Still… the words echoed.
'They're dating again.'
She exhaled slowly.
Francis noticed. He was certain something was definitely wrong, he just wished she'd open up as a friend at least and tell him.
He had been watching her for the past two days. The way she smiled less. The way she sometimes drifted into silence. The way her eyes avoided certain directions. Directions where he was in. Polite distance when he spoke. He might not be quick to catch emotional stuff but once he saw it he knew.
He didn't ask directly. He remembered what she told him.
'I have a crush… but I'm not ready to say who.'
He respected that.
So instead, he stayed close. He joked more. He teased lightly. He made small conversations. He tried to keep her mind away from whatever was bothering her.
"You look like someone stole your favorite dessert," he said lightly as they walked toward class.
"I'm fine," Aura replied softly.
"That's what people say when they're not fine. It's an excuse, a comfy one." He said with a wink.
She gave a faint smile. "You're overthinking."
"Maybe."
He didn't push further.
Across the corridor, Avery watched them. Her fingers tightened slightly around the book she held. Francis leaning closer to Aura. Aura responding quietly. Their easy conversation. It stung more than she expected, she knew she liked him but not this much. It's been days...
'He said he didn't care about the arranged marriage…'
Her chest tightened.
'Because he liked her.'
She looked away quickly.
The misunderstanding grew deeper.
Later that afternoon, Francis finally spoke again. They were seated near the garden benches. The area was quiet, shaded by tall trees. Aura sat beside him, her posture composed, but lost in thought.
"I don't think Ethan is actually dating Stephanie," Francis said suddenly catching her attention.
Aura looked at him. "Why?"
He leaned back slightly. "Because I know what happened before."
" What is it ?" She asked, he went silent while she waited.
"They dated in first year," he continued. "But she cheated on him."
Aura blinked slightly. " What? How's that even possible?"
' when he was so perfect?' she thought inwardly.
"With his best friend," Francis added quietly.
Her eyes widened this was hot stuff.
"At that time, the three of us guys were close. But Ethan trusted the guy more. He wouldn't have believed if he didn't see it. she betrayed him with the person he trusted the most. That day he didn't want to hear anything. He just...broke."
Francis exhaled.
"It broke him. Badly."
Aura's fingers tightened slightly in her lap.
"He'd never dated again after that, it was hard to trust. Plus...he never really was attracted to anyone else after that, but he's a loyal boyfriend and friend. He didn't deserve that." Francis continued.
"So hearing they're back together… it doesn't sit right with me." He said ending it.
"Maybe people change, and she did." Aura said softly and swallowed.
"Maybe," Francis replied. "But Stephanie… doesn't seem like the type. I don't trust her one bit."
He glanced at her. "I think she's taking advantage of something. Or there's another reason."
Aura lowered her gaze.
'Another reason…'
The words echoed painfully. She wished it was one she could get over.
That evening, Francis finally found Ethan near the training grounds. The sun was already lowering, casting long shadows across the field. He wanted to know what was going on.
"Ethan," Francis called.
Ethan turned. "You're here."
"I need to ask you something."
Ethan nodded slightly. "Go ahead."
"Are you dating Stephanie?"
Ethan paused.
"No, Not yet," he replied calmly.
Francis frowned. "Not yet?"
Before he could continue, a sharp whistle cut through the air.
"Both of you!" the physical training instructor called from across the field. "You're late. Get moving!"
Francis exhaled quietly.
"Guess we'll continue later, we need to talk bro." he muttered and stormed off
Ethan nodded.
But the unease remained between them. Maybe...he could at least tell his best friend.