All Chapters of Royal Rivalry : Chapter 31 - Chapter 40

Theo’s POVSince the kiss happened, I've been blaming myself for the awkwardness between us. How would I explain it to Rowan when I don't even understand it myself. The situation with Rowan was similar to the reason I landed in Hillsborough two years ago. I was involved with a boy, his parents caught him, my parents denied it and changed my school immediately. Ever since then, I've pretended to live a carefree life. A life free from the guilt of ruining that boy's life. To be honest, I thought I had mastered the lifestyle. I thought I had become the person I've been pretending to be. But it was just a lie I've been telling myself. It was just a facade. And that facade was slowly fading away since Rowan's arrival. “It was all a game,” I told myself countless times. “I just want him to join my friend clique,” I lied to myself. Now, it was none of it. And excuses can't work for me anymore. But I'll do my best to pretend because pretending is what saves me from my cruel reality. I w

Rowan’s POVI can't say ‘finally’ yet, but I'm kind of free from Theo's deceit. Maybe another, maybe not in this life, Theo and I would agree on something and we'll get it right. But right now, I'm going back to the life I chose for myself. The quiet and stay-out-of-trouble lifestyle. As I stepped out of the library, the air outside felt colder than it should have. Maybe it was just me overthinking it. I walked down the corridor with my hands shoved into my pocket, thinking that my life would become peaceful without Theo in it. I won't have to worry about not understanding him when he doesn't even explain anything to me. ‘You wouldn’t understand.’ The words irritated me as I thought about them.If he had just explained his reasons, fine. But the constant half-answers… talking in circles…and the excuses. It felt like I was trying to grab smoke.It's not like I'm perfect when it comes to my feelings. In fact, I've never felt anything for anyone. But it has been clear to me a long tim

Theo’s POVI couldn't go for dinner. I didn't know how to face my friends when I knew I was hiding something big from them. That aside, I didn't even think I could bring myself to swallow food without throwing up. The thought of my family in crisis wasn't something I could digest quickly. Even my room had become so tight that it couldn't contain my thoughts anymore. As I replayed the conversation I had with my mother, I couldn't help but rain curses on Valecourt. “Those fucking bastards,” I spat. “They had the nerve to come for my family.”But why? Valecourt has power. Their association swam in wealth and resources. What did a French royal family have that interested them so much?And my father too. He was so careless. Why would he stupidly get drunk during a diplomatic meeting? What the fuck was he thinking. I knew I was not supposed to curse but I couldn't hold on to the rage boiling inside me. I couldn't bring myself to mince my words. Not in this situation.What would people t

Theo’s POVI heard the rumor before I even left my room.I had barely stepped into the hallway when two first year students hurried past me, whispering loudly.“…Rowan slammed his hands on the table…”“…told everyone to shut up…”“…the way he defended Theo…”Defended me?I slowed down, trying to get the full gist. But the boys stopped talking the moment they noticed me. One of them even muttered an awkward greeting before they both rushed down the corridor.I frowned slightly at the idea of being the topic for gossip. I thought I had prepared myself for the whispers but I wasn't. Or maybe I wasn't prepared for the reason behind those particular whispers. By the time I reached the staircase, the whispers had multiplied. Students were talking in corners. Groups of them stopped mid-conversation when I walked by.A few people stared longer than usual.I was used to attention. Being a prefect meant people watched you, but this felt different. This felt like they were trying to look throug

Theo’s POVThe moment I noticed Principal Whitcombe standing at the entrance of the dining hall, my heart began to pound. She didn't approach us, neither did she make an attempt to. She just stood there, watching us like it was a reality show. The entire hall seemed to notice her at the same time because conversations died down one after another until the room fell into an uneasy silence. Even the clatter of cutlery stopped.Principal Whitcombe’s gaze moved slowly across the room before settling on me and Rowan again. “Theo and Rowan,” she called. Her voice echoed across the hall.“Come with me.”That was all she said, but the tone in her voice left no room for argument.As I stepped away from the table, I could practically feel hundreds of eyes burning into my back. Rowan moved beside me.Neither of us said anything. Leonie didn’t say anything as we passed her, but her glare followed me like a warning.As we walked across the dining hall, whispers started again.“They’re in tro