Chapter 5: The Royalties

Nicole Jane’s POV

“Are you really sure you’re okay? I’m sorry earlier for not being able to help you.”

Mikan kept on talking beside me with her head bowed down. Since our class ended, she didn’t stop talking even though I wasn’t paying any attention to her.

I don’t have any ill feelings towards her. Honestly, it’s better that she didn’t do anything earlier.

The thing is, she’s too kind. I’m just not used to someone talking to me and being concerned like this. It feels weird.

“I’m really fine. Besides, I’m not expecting any help because I don’t even need it.” I crossed my arms. She looked up at me this time.

“One more thing is that, I can handle those girls by myself. If Kyle didn’t show up, they would’ve surely regretted it,” I determinedly replied.

I continued walking, and suddenly she screamed beside me. Other students around us turned to our direction.

I turned to her with a puzzled expression. Did I say something wrong?

“Do you know how adorable the two of you were earlier? Especially when he carried you! It looked like a newlywed scene. If only you could’ve seen the faces of the girls who blocked your way. They were so jealous!” She even held onto my arm. This girl changes her mood so quickly.

“You’re something else! You just arrived here, and luck has already smiled upon you.” She even rested her head on my shoulder as if she was daydreaming.

I feel like throwing up because of what she said. Lucky? She must be kidding me.

We continued walking until we reached the dorm and stopped in front of our respective rooms. I was about to open the door when she suddenly tapped me on the shoulder. Reluctantly, I turned to look at her.

“We’ll have dinner together, right? I’ll just knock on your door later.” She smiled widely.

I shrugged at her before finally entering my room. But I almost screamed when I saw the two princesses of this school lying on my bed. They were pretending to be asleep.

“Were you planning to scare me to death?” I clutched my chest and glared at them.

They sat down and turned to face me. “Sorry! We found out about what happened to you earlier, so we decided to visit and check on you.” Miley pouted.

I looked at them skeptically. “Okay. But how did you manage to enter here?” I shifted my gaze between the two of them.

Reiri pointed at the door. “It’s not locked,” she answered as if it were the most obvious thing in the world.

I slapped my forehead. I had forgotten to lock the door earlier due to being in a rush.

“But still, just because you’re princesses doesn’t mean you can just come in here unannounced.” I placed my bag on the table.

“You already know,” they both said simultaneously.

I leaned against the dresser and looked at them seriously.

“Can you please explain to me how that happened? Who are you really? Are you from a royal family from another country?” To be honest, I was still finding it hard to believe that matter.

Miley smiled slightly. “Don’t worry, Nics. You’ll eventually find out about us, but not now.”

I rolled my eyes. It seems that this academy is not the only place full of mysteries. Even the students themselves.

I didn’t press further. If they didn’t intend to tell me the truth, then I would discover it on my own.

“I bet you already met my brother and our friends,” Reiri said, then winked at me.

I raised my eyebrow at her. What was that wink for?

“Which one of them is your sibling?” I asked, even though I already had an idea of who he was referring to.

“It’s Vince.”

I nodded. I knew it. They almost have the same aura as Kyle.

I started walking towards them, then sat on the edge of my bed. “Anyway, I’m fine. So, you can go now.”

I thought my world would finally quiet down after being separated from Mikan. But apparently not.

They both looked at my left arm, where there is currently a band-aid.

“As you can see, I’m still alive, so don’t act like something serious happened. It’s just a scratch.”

I just shrugged. I couldn’t understand why they made such a big deal out of what happened.

Miley gave me a scrutinizing look, so I quickly averted my gaze. There’s something different in the way she looks at me. It’s as if I’m being hypnotized by her gaze.

“Nics, you don’t have an idea how a simple scratch will turn into a big one,” she said seriously.

I raised an eyebrow at her. Why do I feel like she wants to imply something deeper with her words?

These two are driving me crazy. Just like Mikan earlier. They change moods so quickly.

“Whatever. You two better go. I want to take some rest. I don’t want any noise and chaos around me.” I shooed them away. They’re already creeping me out.

But I was taken aback when they suddenly approached me. Miley hugged me from my side, while Reiri held my hand tightly. I tried to distance myself from them.

They’re so damn cold, for crying out loud! And they’re so pale too. They almost look sick.

“You know what, you’re really different. That’s why we like you!” Miley said.

I faced them. “What do you mean by different?”

They both smiled. “Because you’re not scared or intimidated by us, even though you know we’re princesses here. Most of the students here are afraid to approach and talk to us. That’s why sometimes we’re the ones who have to approach and try to mingle with them. But whenever we do that, they automatically distance themselves. That’s why we don’t have any other friends around. You’re the only one.” Reiri seemed like a child complaining to me. Their faces suddenly turned sad.

I nodded. Well, earlier in the hallway, I saw how the students here respected and feared Kyle. So, it’s likely they feel the same way about these two.

I know how difficult and sad it is because I’ve been through the same situation.

Maybe in the eyes of others, it’s considered lucky to be born into a wealthy family. But all the wealth and power mean nothing if you’re not happy and free. Those kinds of things can never be compensated for, no matter how much money you have.

“Weren’t you friends with anyone in your previous school?” Miley asked as her brown eyes met mine. Her eyes are the same color as her brother’s.

“Yeah. I may not be a princess or anything, but people there were also intimidated by me. It’s pretty obvious why,” I replied dismissively.

“And some of them only wanted to befriend me because of my family’s influence and to become popular in school. So, it became difficult for me to trust other people. I’m happier being alone.”

I stood up and walked towards the cabinet to get my things. “I’ll take a shower. Just lock the door when you leave.”

Miley gave a half-hearted smile. “Okay. We’re leaving too. See you!”

I just nodded at them. I was about to enter the bathroom when Miley spoke up again.

“We just wanted to let you know that you can trust us, and that’s how we feel about you too.”

I froze on my spot. Talking about trust and friendship is not really my thing.

I was just about to face them when suddenly, the wind blew.

I was taken aback when I turned around and realized they were no longer in their seats earlier. I didn’t even hear their footsteps as they left, or the opening and closing of the door.

How on earth did they manage to leave?

***

“Do students really eat almost simultaneously here?” I asked Mikan as I noticed that we were walking together with a lot of people heading towards the dining hall.

She shrugged. “I guess it’s just something we’ve gotten used to.”

I didn’t say anything more. Upon reaching the dining hall, I was immediately greeted with unfriendly stares from almost all the students inside, right from the moment we entered.

I just kept walking straight ahead. I didn’t have time to focus on them right now.

Luckily, the line was not that long anymore. After buying our food, we chose to sit in the same spot we occupied yesterday.

“At last, I can finally eat,” I immediately started eating as soon as we sat down.

Mikan chuckled. “Why?”

I picked up my glass of water. “Because I didn’t have dinner last night and I missed breakfast too because of the rush. Then, my lunch was ruined because of those annoying girls.” I frowned as I recalled what happened earlier.

“I didn’t eat after leaving the clinic because I lost my appetite. That’s why my stomach is acting up now because of extreme hunger,” I irritably replied.

I wanted to pity myself. This is the first time I’ve experienced such hunger in my entire life. I thought I was going to die.

She was about to speak again when suddenly, the door of the dining hall opened. It made a loud noise, causing almost everyone here to look.

My mouth dropped open when I noticed the women around us behaving like they were swooning, and I couldn’t understand why. Some of them even made an effort to look prettier.

What’s going on? We’re at the farthest and most secluded corner, so I haven’t seen who just arrived yet. It’s taking them so long to come in.

Are they making a grand entrance or something?

The wandering question in my mind was finally answered when the six of them started walking inside. Ignoring the glances, stares, and attention that most people around were giving them.

My mouth dropped open. It was the first time I saw all six of them together.

They looked like a group of models. No. More like Greek gods and goddesses who had descended to Earth.

I couldn’t deny the fact that they were all gorgeous and stunning. Their looks were definitely eye-catching, to the point that it drove the crowd wild.

I followed them with my gaze. Miley and Reiri walked ahead, happily conversing with each other as if they were oblivious to their surroundings.

Following closely behind them were Kyle and Vincent, their hands buried in their pockets. Behind them were Kira and Hiro. Hiro smiled and waved at every girl they passed, while Kira simply smiled back at those who greeted him.

Meanwhile, the two cousins seemed indifferent to their surroundings. Now, I knew who the girls would be flocking to among the four of them.

But I still couldn’t fully comprehend how they became princes and princesses. Or maybe it’s just a title bestowed upon them by the people here.

I let out a deep sigh. Maybe I’ll find out about that later.

They sat in the seats I was supposed to occupy yesterday. Despite the distance between us, I couldn’t understand why I felt a strange aura emanating from them.

It was something extraordinary, unbreakable, and powerful.

“At last, they’re finally complete. Do you know that it’s been my dream to become friends with them? Or at least to have a conversation with them. That would be enough. But I’m just too shy,” Mikan sighed dreamily.

I just stared at her. I wonder what her reaction would be once she finds out that I’ve been talking to them.

I continued with my meal. But I looked up when I noticed that her plate was still full.

I was taken aback when I realized that she was actually lost in thought. This girl was definitely nuts.

I followed her gaze to see who she was looking at. I secretly smiled when I realized something.

“You, huh. You didn’t even tell me that you had a crush on Kira,” I teased her.

Her eyes widened as she turned to my direction.

“W-what are you talking about? No way!” she said defensively.

I just nodded. “Okay. That explains why your face is so red.”

She suddenly touched both of her cheeks. “Really?”

“Yeah.”

I continued teasing her because I enjoyed her reaction and the blush on her face. Somehow, it made me feel a little lighter.

When I glanced again at the so-called royalties of this school, Miley happened to turn our way. Reiri did too. So, the four guys also turned to look at me.

Hiro and Kira were the only ones who smiled at me. The cousins had poker faces. They really are related.

I just nodded at them and averted my gaze. I noticed that they didn’t seem to have anything else to do and were just talking. It seemed like they didn’t plan on eating either.

After finishing our meal, we immediately left. It was only the second day of school, but we already had a lot of assignments. So, I wanted to finish them as soon as possible.

“You can go ahead, Mikan. I’ll just go to the library for a moment. I need to find a book,” I told her as we left the dining hall.

She nods at me and wave a goodbye.

After she leaves, I quickly run towards the library. I glance down at the sports watch I’m wearing.

It’s fifteen minutes before seven o‘clock. The library is still open until seven o‘clock in the evening. I hope I make it in time.

When I arrive, the librarian greets me right away. I estimate that she’s around thirty years old. She’s wearing glasses, and her straight hair reaches her waist.

I just nod politely at her. Her gaze at me feels creepy.

I head straight to the farthest aisle where the book I need is placed. I let out a frustrated sigh when I notice that it’s still placed on the top shelf.

“Why am I so tall?” I mutter while looking up. There’s a ladder I could use, but it’s difficult, and I might end up falling flat on the floor.

I stumbled and tried to reach for the book, but to my surprise, it fell into my hands even before I could touch it. Luckily, I caught it quickly.

How did it fall? It seemed to be placed properly.

I turned around to leave, but I almost screamed when I saw Vincent standing not far away.

Did they really plan to startle me all day today?

He looked at the book I was holding, then smirked at me. I was about to ask him something when he suddenly walked away.

I was about to chase after him when a strong gust of wind blew. I felt a shiver down my spine, and in an instant, he disappeared.

He’s really fast.

After leaving my library card with the librarian, I immediately left. It was dark outside and even in the hallway. Only the lights from the lampposts provided illumination.

When I exited the administration building, I was taken aback by the sight of Mikan sitting on one of the benches there, talking on her cellphone.

Wasn’t she supposed to be ahead of me?

“Mikan?” I called out softly to her.

She lowered her phone before looking up at me.

“Were you there all this time?” she asked.

I shrugged. “I just came out. Are you okay?” She seemed pale all of a sudden.

She smiled at me. “Yeah, I’m fine. I just didn’t feel like going back to the room right away, so I decided to take a walk, and then someone suddenly called me. That’s why I thought of stopping here and maybe seeing you. So, we can go back together.”

I wanted to ask her what was wrong because something seemed off about her. But I let it go.

“Okay. Let’s go.”