My heartbeat quickened with every step I took towards the classroom. I had to admit that I was nervous. Being a princess did not make it any easier for me to transfer schools. I liked to enjoy the life of a normal 17-year-old girl, but I had a duty towards my family and my country. So I had to make sure that I had a low profile while I attended the local school I went to previously. Leading a normal life as much as possible in the little time I had left was my last wish before marriage and beginning to shoulder the responsibility of ruling. Despite my family's attempt to send me to Monarch Academy, the top elite high school in all of Cordelia, I managed to secure my wish of attending a local high school. I had to choose a school within one hour's drive from home and had to attend under a fake identity for the sake of the royal family.
However, the turn of events left me with no choice, but to transfer. My former best friend, who no longer talked to me after finding out that I was royalty, ruined my only chance of leading a normal school life. Her attempt to make my inheritance to the throne public and with the paparazzi trying to follow me to school was enough for my parents -the King and his queen consort- to force me to transfer.
I had no right to deny the fact that rumors would harm the image of the royal family, which would reflect upon the entire country. I knew well enough that the fact that I, the heiress to the throne of Cordelia, giving a shot at a simpleton's life would be a perfect opportunity to the high ranking noblemen to create a conspiracy. They would deem me unworthy of being the future ruler for what they call "running wild".
Thanks to all those incidents and possible issues, here I was, standing at the door to the senior year classroom at Monarch Academy, the elite-only high school, thinking of an excuse for being late on my very first day. I even dismissed my bodyguards and even the student that was sent to assist me in finding my classroom, just so I could escape through some back door if it became too much suffocating. The fresh memories of what happened at my previous school scared me to some extent. I was already too ashamed of myself for contemplating skipping school that morning to form a proper excuse for my late appearance at school.
Deciding to stop worrying, I took a deep breath to calm myself and knocked on the classroom door. The teacher, a pleasant, neat lady in her mid-thirties, summoned me in. Luckily, she did not show any signs of intimidation because of my status, which made me somewhat settled. I walked in with my head held high, but I was very much aware of the eyes that followed me and the only sound coming from my heels hitting the tiled floor.
I was planning on skipping the introduction, when the teacher, Ms. Silverton, whose name I found out later that day, cleared her throat. "Please, introduce yourself to the class."
I gave her a forced smile and tucked my hair behind my ears -which is a bad habit of mine that showed whenever I was nervous- before starting on the brief self-introduction.
"Hey, everyone! I'm Avalyn Furgosn. You all can call me Ava," I paused for a second, just to take in everyone's reaction, and satisfied with the looks of non-recognition on the students' faces, I began again, "I look forward to spending this year with-"
That was when his eyes met mine and my mind went blank.
Just until I pronounced my name, the backbencher was engrossed in his phone. Why did he have to raise his head at the exact moment? Everything was running smoothly until then. Did he have to display his cocky smile and ruin my first day even before it began?
It took me less than a few seconds to take in his appearance. He was dressed in full black -black tight-fitting t-shirt, black leather jacket, and black pants, which contrasted his dark blonde side-swept, unruly hair. His cat-like green eyes seemed to pierce straight through me and his thin lips formed a mocking smile.
"Oh, cut the crap, princess. We all know you, our dearest future queen. You sure like dramatic entrances, don't you?" His voice seemed to pull me back to reality. Despite the insult, I foolishly only noticed how attractive his deep, manly voice sounded.
"Mind your manners, Mr. Beaufort." Ms. Silverton reminded, pushing her glasses back in a cross manner. "You can sit over there." She continued, turning to me, then pointed to a seat near the window in the second row.
I ducked my head and walked over to my desk unceremoniously. I could not concentrate on the lesson well that morning. My thoughts drifted back to those piercing green eyed gaze.
It took my brain more time than usual to process the fact that Beaufort was the family name of the Duke of Denmer, whose younger sister was the lady love rumored to snatch the heart of my beloved Uncle James. I have been taught of all the noble families since my childhood, as preparation for me to take upon my position one day. The Beaufort family was a very powerful and influential noble family in the country and would send one of their sons to be my suitor one day.
During the transition time, when Ms. Silverton left and Mr. Handerson -a glum-looking, boring teacher, came in for the next subject, I made small talk with the girl next to my desk. She was thrilled to talk about the arrogant backbencher, whom I got to know to be the insanely handsome troublemaking second son of the Beaufort family -Calvin Beaufort. The girl, Melissa, was too giggly throughout our conversation about him to actually notice that I was blushing unnecessarily.