Amara stood frozen in the principal's office.
Everything felt unreal.
A royal staff member stood in front of her.
The palace had already been informed.
All because the crown prince invited her to a gala.
Principal Williams smiled politely.
"There's no pressure, Amara," he said kindly. "But it is a very important event."
Amara slowly nodded, though her mind was racing.
Mr. Laurent waited patiently.
"If you accept," he said, "the palace will handle transportation, attire, and security."
Amara blinked.
Security?
"This sounds like a lot," she admitted quietly.
Mr. Laurent gave a small respectful nod.
"It is."
Amara thought about everything that had happened that day.
The whispers.
The rumors.
Vanessa's anger.
Then she thought about something else.
Adrian.
He had defended her in class.
He had ignored the rumors.
And somehow, he had trusted her enough to invite her.
Amara took a deep breath.
"Okay."
Both men looked at her.
"I'll go," she said.
Principal Williams smiled.
"Very well."
Mr. Laurent nodded once.
"Excellent."
Amara still couldn't believe the words that had just come out of her mouth.
I just agreed to attend a royal gala.
Mr. Laurent continued calmly.
"A car will arrive Saturday afternoon to take you to the palace for preparation."
"Preparation?"
"Hair, dress, etiquette briefing."
Amara felt even more nervous.
"Etiquette briefing?"
Principal Williams chuckled lightly.
"It's a royal event after all."
Meanwhile…
Across the school campus, Vanessa had just heard the news.
One of the cheerleaders rushed toward her.
"Vanessa!"
Vanessa turned impatiently.
"What?"
"She said yes."
Vanessa frowned.
"Who said yes?"
"The scholarship girl!"
Vanessa's stomach dropped.
"To what?"
"The royal gala!"
For a moment, Vanessa didn't move.
Her expression slowly hardened.
"She accepted Adrian's invitation?"
The cheerleader nodded nervously.
"And the palace already sent someone to the school."
Vanessa's nails dug into her palm.
This was worse than she imagined.
If Amara attended the gala with Adrian…
The media would see them.
The royal family would see them.
Everyone would see them.
Vanessa's eyes darkened.
"Fine," she said quietly.
Her friend looked confused.
"Fine?"
Vanessa smiled slowly.
"If she wants to go to the gala…"
Her smile turned colder.
"Then we'll make sure she never forgets it."
Meanwhile, Amara had just left the principal's office.
She stepped into the hallway and immediately saw Adrian leaning against the wall.
Like he had been waiting.
He looked up when he saw her.
"Well?" he asked calmly.
Amara stared at him.
"You told the palace already?"
Adrian shrugged slightly.
"Of course."
Amara shook her head in disbelief.
"You're unbelievable."
Adrian's eyes studied her face.
"Did you say yes?"
Amara hesitated for a second.
Then she nodded.
"Yes."
For the first time since she met him…
A small smile appeared on Adrian's face.
"Good."