Chapter 30: A Princess's Day Off
The next morning arrived with bright sunlight shining through Mia's bedroom window.
Mia groaned as the alarm clock rang.
"Five more minutes…" she muttered, pulling the blanket over her head.
Unfortunately, someone knocked on her door.
"Mia!" her mother's voice called.
"You're going to be late for school!"
Mia immediately sat up.
"School!"
She had almost forgotten that life outside the whole "princess training" situation still existed.
After quickly getting dressed and brushing her messy hair, Mia rushed downstairs.
Her mother was already making breakfast.
"You look tired," Helen said.
"That's because yesterday I learned how to walk like royalty for three hours."
Helen smiled.
"I'm proud of you."
Mia sighed and grabbed a piece of toast.
"I'm not sure I'm proud of me."
Outside, the morning air of San Francisco felt fresh and cool.
Mia pushed her scooter down the street toward school.
As she turned the corner, she suddenly noticed someone familiar standing near the sidewalk.
Anshul.
He was leaning casually against a streetlight, looking surprisingly relaxed for someone who didn't even officially belong to this world.
Mia slowed down.
"You're here again."
Anshul smiled.
"Good morning."
"Do you always appear randomly on streets like this?"
"Only on interesting mornings."
Mia rolled her eyes but couldn't help smiling.
"Well, I'm going to school."
"I figured."
"You're not following me again, are you?"
Anshul pretended to think about it.
"Maybe."
"Don't you have anything else to do?"
"Not really."
Mia laughed.
"You're the weirdest traveler I've ever met."
They began walking toward the school together.
The streets were already filling with students heading to class.
After a few minutes, Mia spoke again.
"You know, today might actually be worse than yesterday."
"Why?"
"Because now everyone knows about the presentation disaster."
"That's temporary."
"No it isn't!"
"People forget quickly."
Mia looked skeptical.
"You're very optimistic."
"Experience."
When they reached the school gate, several students were already gathered outside.
Josh Bryant was leaning against a railing talking to his friends.
The moment he saw Mia, he smirked.
"Well if it isn't Thermopolis."
Mia immediately stiffened.
"Morning, Josh."
Josh noticed Anshul standing beside her.
"Who's the new guy?"
"A friend," Mia said quickly.
Josh raised an eyebrow.
"Didn't know you had those."
Several students laughed quietly.
Anshul stepped forward slightly.
"Nice to meet you."
Josh looked unimpressed.
"Yeah, sure."
He turned back to his friends and continued talking.
Mia exhaled slowly.
"See? School."
Anshul shrugged.
"He seems insecure."
"What?"
"People who try too hard to look cool usually are."
Mia blinked.
"…That actually makes sense."
They walked into the school courtyard together.
Lilly was already sitting on a bench.
When she saw them approaching, she waved enthusiastically.
"Mia!"
She stood up and walked over.
Then she looked at Anshul.
"You again."
"Good morning," Anshul said.
Lilly crossed her arms playfully.
"You're starting to appear everywhere."
"I get that a lot."
Mia laughed.
For a moment things actually felt normal.
Just three friends talking before school.
No princess lessons.
No royal responsibilities.
Just ordinary life.
Mia realized something then.
Having Anshul around made things easier.
Less stressful.
Less overwhelming.
She glanced at him briefly.
For some reason, that thought made her feel a little shy.
Anshul noticed her looking and raised an eyebrow.
"What?"
"Nothing," Mia said quickly.
Lilly smirked slightly.
"Oh?"
The bell suddenly rang.
Students hurried toward their classrooms.
Mia grabbed her bag.
"Okay, time for another school day."
"Good luck," Anshul said.
"You'll need it more than me," Lilly added.
Mia groaned.
"Thanks."
As she walked toward the school building, Anshul remained standing in the courtyard.
Watching.
This peaceful world was very different from the dangerous worlds he could eventually enter.
But for now—
He didn't mind staying here a little longer.
Especially if it meant spending time with Mia.