Chapter 12: Fated Solo??
Ana's POV
I stepped out of my car—sleek, black, and polished like royalty itself. The driver opened the door with practiced grace, and my heels clicked dramatically as I landed on Guía Real's prestigious grounds.
Oh well. Back again.
One week clearly wasn't enough to get lost in my novels and absorb all the unconventional knowledge school will never award you for.
But silver lining? I'm back to my ray of sunshine: Daniel. And the new thunderstorm he calls a twin: Daniella.
I honestly don't know what she has against me. She cut ties, ghosted me completely, and now she's gaslighting me, trying to manipulate me into thinking it was all my fault. Girl, what kind of narcissism is that?
Well, I'm not about to start worrying about her on the first day of entering this literal worry-dom. I don't want to grow old too fast—and most importantly, this face has to serve!
As the Representante Real, Guía Real's Royal Prefect, I had to look flawless. A resumption speech waits for no one—and neither does glam.
Now, off to find my darling Prince Charming.
---
Narrator's POV
The royal teens lingered a while outside, quietly admiring Guía Real's breathtaking exterior: sculpted stone pillars, ornate golden accents on every window frame, and banners with the school crest fluttering in the breeze like something straight out of a storybook. The air buzzed—not with noise, but with prestige.
Their moment was gently interrupted by a woman in a tailored uniform, crisp as her voice.
"Welcome, Prince and Princesses. You must be Princess Zorayda."
Though everyone at Guía Real was addressed as "Prince" or "Princess" (a tradition of prestige, not title), Zory's new status as the royal sibling of the twins meant the greeting hit a little harder.
Of course, none of them were carrying any luggage—they were royalty. Guía Real had workers at every corner for that. And this was Guía Real, after all.
The woman—now properly introduced as Señorita María, Zory's assigned chaperone—gestured for her to follow. Being the new one meant extra attention.
She was led toward the admissions wing, where she'd receive:
A personal niñera
A regal repository of supplies
A new phone with instant one-tap access to her niñera, class info, and school contacts
A form to fill
A placement test to determine her class
---
Back in the Academic Hallways…
The royal twins walked with quiet poise and controlled elegance, escorted by two formal guards. It was standard on the first day—formality, prestige—but after today, they'd be left to their usual privacy.
Their calm stride was broken by the excited voice of someone they hadn't expected so soon.
"Hi, my baby!" Ana squealed, throwing her arms around Daniel like she hadn't just texted him this morning.
Danielle stopped.
There was a visible discomfort etched across her face as she watched them walk off arm-in-arm.
The life of a third wheel.
"They're not even in the same class," she muttered bitterly. "Is everyone just obsessed with being in love or is she doing this to spite me?"
Her hands clenched the straps of her schoolbag as she sighed.
"I miss when I had her attention. Now I'm just a shadow—and shadows only come when Daniel isn't around. Otherwise, I'm a random blur in the crowd."
But then her eyes shifted, lighting with a bit of hope.
"Well... now my own duo might just form—Zory's here. I am tired of always being Solo.
I hope she gets placed in the Arts Class. That's me and Ana's class.
If she does... maybe I can finally spend real time with her."
The gong rang.
It echoed through the halls like a reminder that time was ticking, choices had been made, and the fates had already shuffled the cards. Danielle's heart dropped a little—Zory hadn't shown up. No new student had been introduced in her class.
"No... no way.
Don't tell me... fate failed me again."
---
Zory's POV
I had a gut feeling I'd be placed in the Science Class, and I was right.
The term was almost over, and I'd spent most of it in my previous school—also in science—so I was academically ready.
Socially, though? Not so much.
The idea of having to introduce myself to a full classroom was terrifying. My heart was pounding, and I could feel my throat tightening from nerves.
I hadn't even asked what class the twins were in. The car ride had been silent.
"Please... let one of them be in my class.
Or even just Daniel.
No Daniella. She seems really sweet... honestly any one of them will do."
Inhale. Exhale.
"Princessa, are you ready? You can take as much time as you need," said the escort beside me gently.
I'd nearly forgotten she was there.
I nodded, took one last grounding breath, and stepped forward.
The door opened.
The room smelled faintly of citrus and polish, and the silence was louder than applause.
All eyes turned toward me. For a second, I couldn't move—but I remembered what I had to say. My royal tutor had prepared this exact moment in Spanish. So I spoke:
"Buenos días a Sus Majestades y Altezas. Mi tutor real, tengo el honor de presentarme: Soy la Princesa Zorayda de Eltador. Me gustaría solicitar su formal y respetuosa aceptación en esta clase."
I kept my curtsy low as instructed. No stuttering, no mistakes.
("Good morning to Your Majesties and Highnesses. My royal tutor, I have the honor of introducing myself: I am Princess Zorayda of Eltador. I humbly request your formal and respectful acceptance into this class.")
My thoughts spun wildly:
"I did it.
That's it.
Now I'm just going to raise my head, walk to my assigned seat, and fit in.
Because I do fit in. I belong here."
As I slowly raised my head, scanning the crowd...
Everyone looked so welcoming but one was zeroed out. One with a face that didn't only look like home, felt like it also.
Yes, I had seen him. My prince charming;
Daniel.
He smiled at me.
Not just a polite smile—a warm one, the kind that says "you're safe."
And just like that, my nerves settled.
"Fate made the right decision," I thought.
"Daniel, not Daniella... and I'm happy."