"We are here," Maximus got down from the car.
Katherine looked at the large board that had the University's name and sighed.
"Moon Claws International University,"
It was the same University where she wanted to study in her last life because this place was close to the royal Kingdom.
The leader back in time had told her if the royals recruited you, you get a direct position under the Prince, and your life would be 10 times better.
You make good friends and your life is full of adventure since you are required to travel wherever the Prince goes.
At that time, Katherine had thought that it was the kind of life she wanted. However, her team members, who were her friends at that time, didn't want her to leave them, and knowing they were the only people whom she called hers, she had given up on that dream.
She didn't regret that decision but... Wasn't the Moon Goddess trying to fulfill her dreams from the past? Katherine took a shaky breath, her heart feeling jittery as she suddenly started to feel nervous.
Maximus looked at the girl who was still inside the car and sighed before walking to her side and opened her door.
"Do you want me to carry you there too?" He asked, expecting a haughty reply but Katherine shook her head and just started walking, dazed.
"A simple test will be taken to see if you fit the criteria for the University. If you score well you can choose a subject and stream of your choice, if you don't, we will give you whatever is suitable, probably arts. We already have your records," Maximus explained to her the process as they walked inside the University.
Katherine hummed, looking around.
The actual University looked much better than the one in the photos and videos she watched. Then again, it was 5 years ago. Things have changed so much since then.
"This way," Maximus said, looking at his phone that had the message he was waiting for.
"Search for it. It's not long. You can find some clues. It wasn't just a coincidence. Do it again," Maximus quickly typed before stuffing the phone in his pocket when they reached the Principal's office.
Katherine looked at the two people who were already seated there and bowed to the Prince before bowing to the Principal in greeting, smiling at Tianna softly.
"What a respectful girl. Is she the girl you were talking about?" The principal asked.
Prince Elwin looked at Delilah before nodding.
"She is," He said.
"Well, I have already checked their records. It's compatible with the University's cut-off. But, since they haven't taken the Common Grading Assessment that helps a student get to their eligible Universities, we will take a test from our side. The minimum cut-off would be 85%. Is that okay?" The principal looked at the girls who nodded.
"You will have to write essays on 5 topics out of the 6, and it will be judged by our teachers. Write your choice of stream. The questions would be given on that topic, along with some political questions to assess your knowledge of English," The principal announced before he looked at the Prince and nodded.
Tianna immediately looked at her cousin.
"I would like for her to be in the same class as mine. So we shall write the same stream, right? Delilah is intelligent. She won't have a problem coping up," Tianna whispered and Prince Elwin nodded.
Katherine scowled. So now not only will she have to study because of her, she will have to change her stream too? What drama!
"Wait outside. We will call you in ten minutes," The principal said, and the two girls walked out.
"Hey," Tianna immediately pulled her towards the railings to talk to her.
"Delilah, can you help me with this test? We all know you are the studious one. There's no way I can score more than you. I don't want to be looked down upon by the prince that I am going to marry. Please help me," Tianna looked at her cousin with a pleading expression.
Katherine's eyes softened.
"You want me to help you?" Katherine asked, and Tianna nodded, feeling relieved that Delilah agreed.
"I only have you here. Please. You will let me see your answers, right? I don't want to cheat but-" Tianna didn't complete her sentence as a teacher walked by them.
Katherine smiled at her.
"I got you,"
'Katherine, what are you planning? This is a perfect opportunity for you to make some place in Prince Elwin's heart,' Daisy reminded the girl, who scoffed.
'You just wait and watch. If she wants me to help her, help is on her way,' Katherine smirked and walked to the door, confusing Tianna.
Katherine knocked on the door, and the principal raised his gaze, looking at her from above his spectacles.
"I am sorry. Please prepare the test sheet for my cousin only. I have no intention of studying here," Katherine said.
Tianna's eyes widened. What the hell was she doing?!
Prince Elwin, who was talking to Maximus in the corner of the room, quirked his left brow and looked at the daring girl who was trying to neglect a Royal order.
Elwin looked at Maximus for him to stop talking and tell him he got this.
"And why is that, Miss Rosewood?" Prince Elwin walked to the girl, looking straight into her eyes.
He towered over her, probably wanting to execute his dominance.
However, Katherine was least affected by his domineering aura. She was used to people towering over her as the only female leader back at the Black OPS. Those male leaders couldn't take healthy competition from a female leader and often got into trouble with her.
Katherine smiled at the man.
"My sister deserves this hospitality of the royals. Neither do I have any intention of staying at the royal Kingdom once she gets married to Highness nor do I have any intention of wasting anyone's resources," Katherine paused, softening her expression a little.
"What's more, I can't write anything with my broken hand. Please consider my wish," Katherine said, not wavering her gaze from Prince Elwin before she gently looked down at her feet to show her respect.
Prince Elwin looked at the girl, her confidence earlier, both surprising and intriguing.
He turned to look at Maximus, who didn't have a good expression and Elwin sighed.
The Indication was clear. This girl has to be here, that's what his elder brother wanted at the moment.
"Since you have made these things clear, let's make a few things clear on our side too, Miss Rosewood," Prince Elwin stepped ahead, making the girl step back, her shoulder unintentionally hitting the side of the door, making her hiss.
Prince Elwin immediately stepped ahead and placed his hand on her shoulder, pulling her close, their bodies almost touching.
Katherine raised her gaze and looked into his eyes, gulping and looking away immediately.
She stepped aside, bowing in apology, making Prince Elwin smile inwardly.
What was this? When many girls are happy and find a chance to be this close to him, she is trying to run away? He looked at the girl thoughtfully.
"As I was saying, first, you are not the one who gets to decide whether you will stay here or not after the marriage. Second, we have enough resources that we won't go broke just by sponsoring a girl's education. Third, you don't have to worry about the test. Mr. Maximus here will help you with the test," Prince Elwin said.
Katherine's pupils immediately dilated when she heard his name.
"I don't want him to help," she quickly added, making Maximus quirk his brows.
"If not him, then who? Do you want me to write your answers?" Prince Elwin placed his hand on her cast, rubbing his thumb over the word written over the cast.
'Stupid?' He wondered who wrote this word here.
"I... I... Of course, not. But it won't look like a fair chance if the Elder Prince's secretary is helping me. What if people say he helped me? I don't want that to happen. Maybe we can wait for a month until my injuries are okay?" Katherine suggested, wanting to run away from the situation.
"Don't worry about that. Mr. Maximus here would not help you. It's decided. You are taking the exam and studying," Prince Elwin said.
Katherine gritted her teeth at her failed attempt before her eyes beamed.
It looks like the only way left for her is...
"Also, if you are thinking of flunking this test, then don't. Whether you can step out of your room or not is also dependent on this test. You want to train too, no?" Prince Elwin smiled.
Katherine raised her brows in surprise. She didn't expect that at all!
"Are you threatening me?"
"Does it look like that?" Prince Elwin asked.
"You... But... I..." Katherine had no words to rebuke that.
"Close your mouth or you will catch a fly," Prince Elwin placed his hand on her jaws, rubbing her soft skin, his hand moving to her chubby cheeks before he pinched them.
He nodded when her scowl hardened before he turned and walked back to Maximus.
Maximus, who watched this entire interaction, clenched his fists before walking to them and leaving the room, bumping into Katherine purposefully.
"This scoundrel!" Katherine hissed under her breath as she walked out, feeling wronged.
She was about to turn to apologize to Tianna, obviously pretentious, when with a swoosh of wind, she felt her body hitting the wall, making her wince before she opened her eyes and looked straight into those haughty blue ones.
"What did you just call me?" Maximus asked.
"What did I call you?" Katherine groaned, pain shooting across her entire body.
"Do you want me to snap this neck? It will fulfill your wishes to not study too," Maximus hissed.
Katherine's eyes brimmed with tears before she remembered how he had turned red when she had said those words in the morning.
"D-do you have a fetish of bearing dirty talk?" Katherine asked out of the blue, a smile appearing on her face.
"What?" Maximus asked, genuinely confused.
"Want me to call you daddy again?" Katherine asked, and Maximus's nose flared as he looked at the impossible girl.