Chapter 1: Clarkson Academy

Nicole Janeʼs POV

“You behave there, okay? Donʼt worry because weʼll always call you,” Mom said.

I just rolled my eyes and plugged in my earphones. I was tired of their reminders already.

Since the day they told me about my fiancé, they hadnʼt mentioned anything about it again. They didnʼt even give me a chance to speak again because they suddenly left at that time.

I also asked them about it several times whenever I had the chance because I really felt uneasy. But they didnʼt really give any other explanation. Up to now, Iʼm still hoping that what they were saying wasnʼt true.

I donʼt know what my parents were thinking when they put me in such a precarious situation. I havenʼt even been in a relationship or even admired a single man in my entire life. Then theyʼll just break the news that I will be married off to someone?

Then, out of the blue, they broke another piece of news to me. That Iʼm going to transfer to who knows where. They didnʼt even tell me what the school was called or where it was. They were deciding to transfer me in my last year of senior high.

Just great.

I looked outside the window. All I could see were tall buildings. While the people around were busy with their own activities.

My lips thinned. The fact that I didnʼt have any idea where we were going made me feel anxious.

Truth be told, I refused to leave at first. But the moment they told me that they were going to cut my allowances and leave me with nothing, I shut up.

Though I didnʼt believe in them at first. The thing is, they left me alone in our house for a week without any extra money on hand!

They can be in any part of the world, for all I care. But as long as I had my allowance with me. What was going to happen to my adventurous life if I didnʼt have the money I needed?

That reason alone led me to this kind of situation. Itʼs all thanks to my loving parents.

We have been traveling for some time now. I didnʼt even have the chance to memorize the routes they took because it took too many turns.

Right until the view of the roads was replaced by tall trees. The whole area around me was almost entirely covered by green, and I couldnʼt see a single house standing anywhere.

I didnʼt really know the place. The last city we passed was so far away. It would have taken maybe more than an hour to reach it from this place.

“Donʼt tell me that the school where Iʼm going to transfer is somewhere in the middle of the forest?” I unplugged my earphones and asked them in disbelief.

It didnʼt seem to suit me to study just anywhere. The school I used to attend was prestigious, and most of the students were the children of businessmen or politicians. Then all of a sudden, they were transferring me to an unknown school.

They both looked at each other. But before I could ask again, I was stunned when I saw from not far away the two towering golden gates.

“Wow,” I whispered in amusement as we got nearer.

But I didnʼt let my parents see my amazement for fear of what they were going to think and say.

To be fair, the gates did look expensive. Letʼs see what they had on the inside.

When we stopped at the gates, they slowly opened up from the middle, clearing the way for us to go inside.

Welcome to Clarkson Academy

Those words were engraved at the bottom of a statue that looks like a warrior with a cape and riding a horse. They were the first thing that caught my attention as soon as we entered.

It actually sounds familiar. I just canʼt remember where I heard the name of this school.

I was amazed to see the huge stone buildings. They were white and chocolate. They had sliding windows, and each hallway had pillars.

I would have mistaken the place for more of a vintage palace than an academy, because its structure and design were so classy and elegant. It looked like a place for a royal family.

In addition to that, the guards outside caught my eye before we finally got inside earlier. Security seemed to be very tight here as well.

I havenʼt seen any students around yet. It was still too early, so maybe they were still in their respective dorm rooms.

Dad stopped the car in front of the main building, and then we all stepped out. I looked up at it and saw the big round clock on top of it.

I hugged myself as a strong, cold breeze blew. Because of this, you wouldnʼt feel the heat of the weather in this place. Even the sky was a bit overcast.

After all, the whole area was located on an elevated area; add to that the towering trees that surrounded the place.

I didnʼt know why, but this school felt creepy. Sometimes something too perfect on the outside can be scary because you canʼt quite see whatʼs hidden inside.

I was about to ask Dad when I spotted an elderly man approaching our direction. He was wearing a black hat and suit with a white polo shirt inside. His eyes are narrow, and he has a small beard on his chin. He was tall but a bit thin.

I blinked. I may have sounded weird, but I could sense a strange aura from him.

He smiled as he approached us. But I didnʼt know why I was suddenly horrified by the way he looked at us—especially when he looked directly at me.

Another thing I noticed about him was the color of his skin. I wouldnʼt say it was white—a bit pale, maybe. Perhaps they didnʼt get much of the sun due to the cold climate of the area.

“Good day, Mr. and Mrs. Parker!” he greeted my parents in a cold, deep voice before he turned to me.

Was the coldness in his voice also due to the climate here?

“Same to you, Young Miss.” He stared at me intently.

Thereʼs something in the way he looked at me that made me smile at him, even though I had no intention of doing so.

Why would I do it in the first place?

“You take care of our daughter. We know that you will be able to watch over her better here. Please let us know if anything happens,” Dad said seriously, which surprised me.

What did he mean by that? Were they leaving me in this isolated place because they were tired of taking care of me?

Something felt wrong. In fact, our maids took better care of me at home because my parents were often abroad. So why did they have to move me here?

“Of course we will.” The middle-aged man bowed at my parents.

I was stunned. He seemed too polite.

“Thank you.”

Dad seemed to breathe a sigh of relief before he faced me. He took something from his pocket. I stared at it and found out that it was a necklace. It is a golden one with a crescent moon pendant.

He motioned for me to turn around, so I did. Then I felt the touch of a cold metal object on my neck.

I turned around to face both of them, confused. I was surprised when they both suddenly hugged me.

I froze where I stood. All my life, this was the first time they held me like this.

“Whatever happens, donʼt take it off,” Dad sternly warned.

My forehead furrowed, but I didnʼt speak.

“Always remember how much we love you, darling.” Thereʼs a hint of sadness in Momʼs voice.

I fought to stop my tears from falling. I couldnʼt believe what was happening.

It was also the first time that I heard them say that they loved me. Thatʼs why I couldnʼt figure out what I was supposed to feel.

I may be a rebellious daughter. But that didnʼt mean that I didnʼt love them at all. Because the truth is, I really do.

But because I grew up and got used to them not always being by my side, I kind of buried that feeling towards them. Although I admit that hearing those words from them softened my heart.

“Please, always take care. And no matter what happens and what you find out, always remember how much we love you. We only want what is best for you,” Mom said as we pulled out of the hug.

I just absent-mindedly nodded before looking away. I didnʼt know the right words to say to them.

Dad patted my head. “I know that thereʼs a part of you that hates us. But when the right time comes, youʼll realize the reasons why we did those things to you. When that happens, we hope that youʼll understand.”

To be honest, I was confused by how they were acting and what they were saying. But I just kept quiet and didnʼt ask any more questions.

After we said goodbye to each other, they handed my things to another staff member who came over. They both kissed me on the forehead before they left.

My gaze followed them until I couldnʼt see their car anymore. I turned to the middle-aged man who was still standing in front of me.

“Welcome to Clarkson Academy, Miss Nicole!” He bowed down once again.

I raised an eyebrow when he called me by my name. I didnʼt like the fact that he sounded as if we had known each other for a long time.

But my forehead furrowed when I noticed my own car heading in our direction.

Yes. I have my own car already. It was my parentsʼ birthday present to me on the night of my debut. It was a peach-colored Porsche Taycan.

It stopped right in front of me, and whoever was driving it stepped out and approached me.

“Your parents sent it, so you can use it in case you ever think of going to the city every weekend,” explained the slightly slender man, even though I wasnʼt asking.

Our ages wouldnʼt have been that far apart, I thought. His skin color is also pale, but his lips are quite red.

I just nodded. Actually, I also noticed all the cars in the parking lot that we passed earlier. Surely, you canʼt go out to the city if you donʼt have your own car. I have to walk all the way there, if ever. Why did this academy have to be at this far-off location anyway?

“Thanks.”

He bowed down, then got into my car again to park it somewhere. I turned to face the man who had greeted me earlier when he suddenly spoke.

“I am Butler Ernesto Lin, by the way. Is it okay with you if I show you around the whole place first? Our other staff will take care of bringing your things up to your room.”

I thought before I looked at him. It was as if the sight of him became scary, even though he was smiling.

But in the end, I just agreed to his suggestion.

“Sure.”

We went to every building here. As well as the open field, gymnasium, dining hall, swimming pool area, library, music room, and everywhere else. I was even amazed at their colorful garden with different kinds of flowers, especially those that I had only seen for the first time. There were also many places to hang out here. It was a good place to relax or just get some peace of mind.

But what caught my attention the most was the forest that was inside. He strictly told me never to go there.

Since I really donʼt feel the need to follow any of the rules and also love the thrill of adventure, I couldnʼt allow myself not to go inside that place.

I knew that there was something hidden behind those tall trees.

“Iʼd give up on trying to go inside that place if I were you. You donʼt have any idea what youʼll find inside.”

I stopped and looked at him.

Was he some kind of mind reader?

He shook his head. “Iʼm not a mind reader. Itʼs obvious from the expression on your face what youʼre thinking,” he explained as my jaw dropped.

Was I really that easy to read?

I was still deep in thought until we headed to my room. I noticed that there were two dormitory buildings here. At first, I thought that men and women were separated, but I found out that they werenʼt.

Both dormitories were divided by a grand staircase that had a red carpet. The girlʼs room was on the right side, while the boyʼs room was on the left. It also has a lounge area where we could watch TV and hang out, according to Butler Lin.

What I really wondered was what the difference was if both boys and girls were together in the same dormitory, apart from the color of the buildings—ours was pure white while the other one was chocolate in color.

I couldnʼt help but suspect something. Maybe those on the other side had special treatment?

We started climbing and continued to the third floor. I stopped walking when he suddenly stopped in front of a door. This would probably be my room.

“This is your room, Young Miss. Your belongings and car keys are already inside. Even your uniforms and the list of your schedules are already placed on your table.”

I nodded. I was also impressed by the excellent service—they were so hands-on when it came to the needs of the students here.

He handed me my key. I bid him thanks, and I was about to open the door when he held my arm to stop me.

I quickly withdrew my arm. Not because I was surprised. But because his hand was so cold.

It was really weird.

“Why are your hands cold?” I couldnʼt stop asking.

He suddenly stood up straight and gasped.

“It is normal for us to be a bit cold in this place.”

I frowned at his seemingly philosophical answer. But I was stunned when I noticed the sudden seriousness of his face. He was quick to change his mood.

“I just want to give you something.”

The coldness in his voice made me shiver. I just realized that his hand seemed as cold as his voice.

He gave me a bracelet, which I hesitantly accepted. It was silver with two fang pendants.

“That will serve as your protection, so you must always wear it. Just like the necklace you are wearing now, donʼt take it off or let it go. Those will serve as your identification.”

I took a step back when I heard the threat in his voice.

I looked down at the bracelet that he gave me. What was up with these accessories that they were giving me, and why were they both so important?

At the same time I looked up at him; a strong wind blew.

Then suddenly, the man in front of me was gone.