By lunchtime…
The entire academy knew.
Students gathered in small groups across the courtyard, whispering and staring whenever Amara walked by.
Phones were everywhere.
Screens glowing.
Videos playing.
Amara sat quietly at a corner table in the cafeteria with Lina, who looked both shocked and furious.
"This is unbelievable," Lina muttered, scrolling through her phone.
Amara rubbed her temples.
"Please don't tell me…"
Lina turned the screen toward her.
The video was already everywhere.
It showed Vanessa confronting Amara in front of the school entrance.
The comments were brutal.
"Who does this girl think she is?"
"She's definitely using the prince."
"Gold digger."
Amara's stomach twisted.
"People don't even know me…"
Lina slammed her phone on the table.
"They don't care about the truth! They just want drama!"
Across the cafeteria, Vanessa sat with her cheerleader friends, laughing as she checked her own phone.
Clearly enjoying the attention.
Lina glared at her.
"I swear she planned this."
Amara didn't answer.
Her appetite had completely disappeared.
Before she could say anything—
A teacher entered the cafeteria.
"Prince Adrian."
The entire room went quiet.
The teacher continued.
"The principal would like to see you."
Then she added after a pause.
"And Miss Vale as well."
Whispers exploded again.
Amara slowly stood up.
"This is going to be bad, isn't it?"
Adrian, who had just entered the cafeteria, walked over to them.
His expression was calm, but his eyes were sharp.
"Probably."
Lina whispered nervously.
"Should I come?"
Amara shook her head.
"It's okay."
But she wasn't sure it was okay.
The walk to the principal's office felt longer than usual.
Students stared as they passed through the hallway.
Some whispered.
Some stared openly.
Some even recorded them walking together.
When they finally reached the office, the secretary looked nervous.
"The principal is waiting inside."
Adrian opened the door.
The principal stood behind his desk with a serious expression.
He sighed the moment he saw them.
"Please sit."
They sat down.
The principal held up a tablet.
On the screen was the same viral video.
"I assume you both know about this."
Amara nodded quietly.
The principal rubbed his forehead.
"This academy already attracts media attention because of our wealthy students…"
He looked at Adrian.
"But involving the Crown Prince and a public scandal is something else entirely."
Adrian remained calm.
"This isn't a scandal."
"Unfortunately," the principal replied, "the internet disagrees."
He turned the screen toward them.
The views were already in the millions.
Amara's eyes widened.
"That's impossible…"
"It's very possible," the principal said.
He sighed again.
"Reporters have already contacted the school asking for statements."
Amara felt her chest tighten.
"This is ruining everything…"
Adrian spoke firmly.
"No one is ruining anything."
The principal looked between them.
"For now, the school will not make any public statement."
He leaned forward slightly.
"But Miss Vale…"
Amara looked up.
"Yes, sir?"
"You need to be careful."
His voice was serious but not unkind.
"Fame like this can destroy a student's life if it isn't handled properly."
Amara nodded slowly.
"I understand."
Just as the meeting ended—
The principal's phone suddenly rang.
He answered it quickly.
"Yes?"
His face changed almost immediately.
"What do you mean reporters are here?"
Amara froze.
The principal stood up.
"They're outside the school gates."
He looked at Adrian.
"And they're asking specifically for Amara Vale."