Chapter 42: The Morning After
The next morning arrived quietly after the royal dinner.
San Francisco was already awake by the time Anshul stepped out of the hotel and walked toward a nearby café. The early sunlight reflected off the glass buildings while people hurried through the streets on their way to work.
Inside the café, he ordered coffee and sat near the window.
His mind was already focused on several things at once.
The meeting with Daniel Carter and the investment firm.
The conversation with Lord Davenport about Genovia.
And the long-term plan he had begun building step by step.
Things were starting to move faster.
After finishing his coffee, Anshul left the café and headed toward Mia's neighborhood.
The familiar street looked peaceful as always, but that peace probably wouldn't last much longer. Once Mia was publicly announced as the princess of Genovia, her life would change drastically.
Reporters.
Attention.
Public curiosity.
Everything would increase overnight.
When Anshul reached the street, the black limousine was already waiting outside Mia's house.
A moment later the door opened.
Mia stepped outside carrying her school bag.
When she noticed him standing nearby, she smiled immediately.
"You're early today."
"So are you."
"I have school," she replied.
"That explains it."
Mia walked over and leaned lightly against the gate.
"I'm still tired from yesterday."
"Royal dinners do that."
She laughed quietly.
"You looked way too calm in there."
"I was observing."
"Observing what?"
"Everything."
Mia narrowed her eyes slightly.
"You talk like a strategist."
"Maybe I am."
Before she could respond, the front door opened again.
Helen stepped outside.
"Oh, Anshul. Good morning."
"Good morning," he replied politely.
Helen looked between the two of them and smiled slightly.
"You're walking to school together again?"
"Looks like it," Mia said.
Joseph opened the limousine door nearby, but Mia shook her head.
"I'll walk today."
Joseph didn't argue.
The limousine drove away while Mia and Anshul began walking down the street toward the school.
The morning air felt cool and fresh.
For a few minutes they walked quietly.
Then Mia spoke.
"My grandmother is planning something."
"That doesn't surprise me."
"She said there will be an announcement soon."
Anshul already knew what she meant.
"About Genovia?"
Mia nodded.
"Once that happens, everything will change."
She kicked a small stone on the sidewalk as they walked.
"I'm not sure I'm ready for that."
Anshul looked at her.
"You've handled everything so far."
"Barely."
"But you're still moving forward."
Mia thought about that for a moment.
"…I guess."
They eventually reached the school gate.
Students were already gathering near the entrance, talking and laughing as usual.
For now, everything looked normal.
But Anshul knew that normal life here wouldn't last much longer.
Once the announcement happened, the quiet routine of this school would disappear completely.
Mia looked at him before heading inside.
"You'll be around later?"
"Probably."
"Good."
She smiled and walked toward the school building.
Anshul remained standing outside the gate for a moment.
Soon this place would become very different.
And when that happened—
He would need to make sure Mia could still live her life without being overwhelmed by the world suddenly watching her.