The palace hallway suddenly felt colder.
Amara stood beside Adrian as the King slowly approached them. His presence alone was enough to make the entire room silent.
Every staff member nearby stopped what they were doing.
Amara felt her heart beating louder with each step the King took.
He stopped in front of them.
His sharp eyes studied her carefully.
"You are Amara Vale," he said.
It wasn't a question.
"Yes, Your Majesty," Amara replied respectfully.
The King folded his hands behind his back.
"A scholarship student."
"Yes, sir."
His gaze shifted briefly toward Adrian.
"My son seems to be attracting quite a lot of attention lately."
Adrian remained calm.
"The media exaggerates things."
The King raised an eyebrow slightly.
"Do they?"
He gestured toward the large windows where newspapers had already been delivered that morning.
Several front pages clearly showed photographs from the gala.
Amara and Adrian standing together.
Headlines filled the pages.
'Mystery Girl Beside the Crown Prince'
'Who Is Amara Vale?'
The King sighed softly.
"This situation has become… inconvenient."
Amara felt nervous but forced herself to stay calm.
"I'm sorry if I caused trouble, Your Majesty."
The King looked back at her.
"And yet you still came to the palace."
Before Amara could respond—
Adrian spoke.
"I asked her to come."
The King's eyes narrowed slightly.
"Of course you did."
For a moment, the tension between father and son was obvious.
Then the King turned his attention back to Amara.
"Tell me something, Miss Vale."
Amara straightened slightly.
"Yes, Your Majesty?"
"Why does my son seem so interested in you?"
The question caught her completely off guard.
Her cheeks warmed instantly.
"I— I don't think he is, sir."
Adrian glanced at her but said nothing.
The King watched her reaction carefully.
"You seem honest," he said slowly.
Amara blinked.
"Thank you…?"
"But honesty alone does not protect someone from the royal spotlight."
He stepped a little closer.
"Do you understand what kind of attention you are receiving now?"
Amara nodded slowly.
"The reporters outside my house made it pretty clear."
The King almost smiled.
Almost.
"Good."
He turned slightly and began walking toward a large sitting area.
"Come."
They followed him.
The three of them sat down across from each other.
The King continued speaking.
"My son has lived his entire life under the public eye."
His voice was calm but serious.
"Every person who stands beside him becomes a story."
Amara understood what he meant.
"You're worried about the rumors."
"I am concerned about the consequences," the King corrected.
He leaned back slightly in his chair.
"Because people will not simply assume you are his friend."
Amara lowered her eyes for a moment.
"They'll assume something else."
"Yes."
Adrian finally spoke again.
"Then let them assume."
The King looked at him sharply.
"You always were stubborn."
Adrian didn't argue.
The King sighed again before looking at Amara one more time.
"For now, you will stay here until the reporters calm down."
Amara's eyes widened.
"Stay… here?"
"At the palace," the King confirmed.
Her brain froze for a moment.
"But I have school tomorrow."
Adrian spoke calmly.
"I do too."
The King gave a small nod.
"Then you will both go together."
Amara's mind was spinning.
Stay at the palace.
Ride to school with the Crown Prince.
Face the entire academy tomorrow.
This was becoming bigger than she ever imagined.
The King stood up.
"For now, a guest room will be prepared for you."
He paused.
Then added one final sentence.
"And Miss Vale…"
Amara looked up.
"Yes, Your Majesty?"
The King's voice was firm.
"Try not to start a national scandal while you are here."