CHAPTER ONE

AQUILINA’S POV

*School bell rings in distance*

"Are you sure there is nothing you want to declare before the screening?" The security man asks me — again.

"No, sir," I respond shyly, though within, my frustration is skyrocketing.

I sigh for the umpteenth time, as I go through the security checkpoints of Velvet Regent.

The security man then ushers me through the machine which lights a bright green and finally allows me into the school.

"You may enter," he finally declares with a curt nod.

He does not know my identity, as many others do not. Only the principal and a few on the school board know about me — and my cousin, Jason.

Tap, tap.

My shoes move across the glass floors as I hurry through the deserted hallways.

I am late. And the thought of other students staring at you whilst you head to your seat is not so enticing.

"Unit A, B, C..." I mutter to myself till I finally locate the unit my class is located at.

I must admit, there is one thing I like about this school. It is just beautiful. With its grandeur and elegance.

"Well, good morning, students," I hear the voice of Miss Nicole as the class settles down to begin.

I half-run into my class just as Miss Nicole begins her lessons.

There are no writing boards here, all is technological. With large screens in every class and tablets on every desk.

"I'm sorry, I'm late," I apologise hurriedly.

Miss Nicole only turns a slight frown at me and nods me to my seat without saying a word.

She has always been my favourite teacher, though I have not been here for long.

I quickly make my way to my seat, waving at the few (and really few) friends I have made here, whilst also ignoring the glares I got from most.

"Okay class, let's take a look at today's lesson."

"Hey, girl," my friend Natalie whispers to me as I finally take my seat.

"Hey," I give her a slight smile.

"Got stuck at Security Checkpoint again?"

"That's an understatement."

"I know, right?" Natalie sighs and tucks a strand of her straight hair behind her ear. "I feel like they designed those as mental torture before roasting us in lessons."

I shake my head, a quiet smile tugging at my lips.

"It is frustrating," I admit, reaching for my school provided-tablet.

I slide across the screen, quickly logging into my account.

So, Velvet Regent — in case you are wondering — has grades from Primary through to Uni.

This school is only for the rich... and royals. They also accept scholarship kids (which people think I am one of).

And why was I screened afore?

The less rich are not allowed to carry in phones or anything which is considered hazardous.

I understand the latter, but phones... that is plain frustrating.

"Well, I hope they change some of those rules one of these days. I mean, we have lives too," Natalie leans close to me to whisper after logging into hers.

The reason why we, "the commoners" cannot use phones in school is because we are not allowed to Tweet or IG about the lives of the royals.

It is not the most thrilling, but this is what I get as my 'punishment' from the WACO.

That causes me to remember why I am back in high school after jumping ahead to study neurosurgery/cardiac surgery (how I ended up a surgeon at this age by God's grace is a story for another day).

~

"Okay Princess, I believe you understand why you have to go through this," Shawn Tyler, my boss at the WACO tells me.

"I understand, Sir," I reply, my face showing a calmness I didn't actually feel.

Within, I will my beating heart to remain calm.

"You will be acquitted once the investigation is over. I know you are innocent, child."

I can see the sincerity within his eyes. He doesn't want to do this. But he has to. And I can understand that.

Yet, the uncertainty of my future causes great sorrow within my heart. What will happen if this is to ever be leaked? What about my family?

Since I was younger, my siblings and I in one way or the other have been working for the WACO (World Anti-Criminal Organisation). And that is alongside whatever careers each pursues whilst going through "the trials".

So whilst working undercover for the WACO alongside practising Medicine, it came to pass one day that a terrorist threat was not realised by the system.

But galavanting on the network, I "mistakingly hacked" an unknown interface.

A threat was underway, and my naive self decided to take action before notifying my superiors. The threat was disabled, but so was my integrity brought to question.

I could have breezed past the protocols, but I am at the age of my trial, and no help can be offered by my family.

"You will be schooling at Velvet Regent like other Royals your age, but you won't be allowed to reveal your identity."

He hands me a school ID card and the reality of what is about to happen finally sinks in.

I had been homeschooled for a major part of my life.

As the youngest in my family, (also being the younger twin), I enjoyed the privilege of being delayed entering my trial years. I always envied watching other kids go to school.

But now, it doesn't seem as thrilling.

~

"Open to page 321 in your ebooks," Miss Nicole says making me snap back to attention.

As we all slide across to the said page on our tablets, I hear the class's door open and feel an aura fill the room.

I glance up and see them, the two most famous Princes in my grade.

I feel like I am talking a lot here, but I just want you to understand. There are Princes, and there are Princes. Some are, I guess minor in the sight of people. But these two, belong to the ruling Kingdoms.

Prince Francesco Ricci Romano, second son of the Italian King. Blond, and blue-eyed. It is said that he is partly French, which I know for a fact. But my source, I can not reveal now.

I hear the girls sit up straight and rearrange their hairstyles, and the boys sitting straighter.

He glances through the room and smiles his charming smile. A sigh escapes some girls sitting close to me. I nearly roll my eyes.

It can not be denied, they were handsome. But looks are not everything.

Girls look at him expectantly, hoping he will notice them. Though they know he is probably already engaged to some Princess.

Rumours have been flying around as to her identity.

"Francesco and Javier," Miss Nicole greets warmly.

Yes, in the name of equality, titles are rarely used, but the line is still glaringly clear.

"You may be seated."

The other Prince, Javier Miguel García de Habsburgo, is known for being cold yet handsome, with his dark hair and rare violet eyes.

He does not spare her or anyone else a glance but simply walks to his seat at the far back. No one ever ventures near it. It's always in the furthest part of the class.

The two are called, the Golden Friends. But it is hard to imagine, with one being so open and the other so cold.

I avoid looking at Francesco as he also walks to his seat. He reminds me too much of that person.

I shake my head reminding myself of the rules I was given before being sent to this school.

Do not get too close to the royals, as it will be easier for them to find out who you really are.

Do not involve yourself with too many people.

And always give vague responses, lest anyone tracks you to the WACO.

There were more, but these were the heart of them all.

Blend in, but don't stand out.

But, is that really going to happen?

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GOD bless you richly for reading. Please, like, share, and comment if you enjoyed it. It will be encouraging.

Please let me know if you find this interesting or not. I really do not know...