"...Prince Ardion. Prince Ardion, please wake up!"

  The knocking grew louder.

  Ardion groaned, burying half his face into the pillow before forcing one eye open. His long dark hair, just long enough to tie into a half-updo but currently a mess, fell across his cheek.

  He sat up slowly, stretching. The morning light from the balcony caught on the depth of his beautiful blue eyes, striking, vivid, unmistakably royal. His build was solid and athletic, not bulky but shaped by disciplined training rather than vanity.

  "Ugggh," he muttered under his breath. "Deric, give me a moment!"

  "Your Highness, we're going to be late at this rate!" Deric cried from outside, sounding like he was seconds from a breakdown. "Today is the deadline for the project! Remember?"

  Ardion dragged himself up, running a hand through his hair.

  "Coming, coming..."

  He opened the door.

  Deric stood there with a stack of papers, hair sticking up in chaotic angles.

  "Great! Wonderful! Amazing!" Deric exclaimed dramatically. "We are absolutely going to fail this subject, Your Highness!"

  "Relax, Deric. It's just a project," Ardion said with a yawn.

  Deric gasped in horror. "Just a— Your Highness, please don't say things like that. My heart can only take so much."

  Ardion gave him a sideways look.

  "You know... you could stop calling me 'Your Highness' when we're alone."

  Deric stared at him, panicked. "And risk getting executed by protocol itself? No thank you."

  Ardion rolled his eyes.

  "Fine. But don't do that in the academy though."

  Deric groaned but nodded dramatically as Ardion headed to the bath.

  The prince left the door open behind him, and Deric stepped inside, shaking his head.

  "Every morning..." he whispered to himself. "Every morning, I lose five years of my life."

  "......."

  Ardion finally emerged from the bath, his dark hair pulled back into a neat half-updo that made him look far more awake than he felt. Deric immediately shoved the stack of papers into his hands.

  Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.

  "Hold these," Deric commanded as if he were royalty.

  Ardion raised a brow. "You woke me up. You carry them."

  Deric blinked rapidly. "Ardion... please?"

  Ardion sighed and took half the stack. "Only because you look like you're about to pass out."

  They left the royal residential wing and walked down the polished corridor toward the academy gates. Guards straightened as Ardion passed, but he only gave a brief nod, moving quickly before Deric could get stuck bowing at everyone.

  Outside, the morning air was crisp. Students were already streaming into the courtyard chatting, rushing, or practicing small spells and exercises. Deric reread their project notes like a man preparing for battle.

  "You're overthinking," Ardion said without looking.

  "And you're underthinking!" Deric shot back. "Which is worse!"

  The towering gates of Astrael Royal Academy came into view. The silver-white stone shimmered under the rising sun, intricate moon sigils carved along the arches. A giant statue of Goddess Sel?mira stood watch over the courtyard.

  Students filled the walkway, a mix of nobles, scholars, and combat trainees all hurrying to get to class on time. Deric visibly tensed.

  "Okay....deep breaths. We hand the project in. Survive today. Live another day."

  Ardion stepped in first, the breeze catching in his dark half-tied hair. The sunlight made his deep blue eyes shine, catching the attention of several nearby students.

  Whispers rose immediately.

  "That's the prince—"

  "He really cut his hair?"

  "No, it's tied. Look properly!"

  Ardion ignored everything.

  Deric followed, trembling. "Let's hurry before someone sees us—"

  "ARDION!"

  Two figures jogged across the courtyard.

  Sylus clapped Ardion on the shoulder. "There you are! Thought you slept through everything."

  Kael crossed his arms. "We present in fifteen minutes. Deric, you handled everything, right?"

  Deric puffed his chest. "Of course I did—"

  A paper slipped from the stack.

  "—mostly everything..."

  Ardion smirked.

  They started toward the main building, when a familiar voice rang out like nails on a chalkboard.

  "ARDION!"

  The three boys tensed.

  Deric whispered, horrified, "No... not now... not in the morning..."

  Selene Liora Valehart practically floated toward them with glossy blonde curls bouncing, perfect attire, a sweet smile hiding razor-sharp intent.

  "Ohh good morning, Ardion," she breathed, sliding far too close and reaching for his arm.

  Ardion stepped sideways smoothly, making her hand land on empty air.

  Selene blinked, annoyed, then instantly smiled again.

  "You look... different today," she said, eyes trailing up to his hair. "I like it. Very princely."

  Sylus coughed to hide a laugh. Kael just rolled his eyes.

  Selene continued, trying again to latch onto his arm.

  "So, about the weekend—"

  "Selene," Ardion said calmly, "we have a presentation."

  "Oh!" She clasped her hands dramatically. "I can walk with you! We can go in together—"

  "No," Kael cut in sharply. "You cannot."

  Selene glared at him before flipping her hair and turning her attention solely back to Ardion.

  "Later then, Ardion."

  Her voice dropped to a purr.

  "I'll be waiting."

  She winked and sashayed away, making sure everyone in the courtyard noticed her.

  Deric sagged in relief. "I survived... barely."

  Sylus snorted. "You survived because Ardion dodged at the right time."

  Ardion exhaled softly, looking forward toward the academy dome.

  A faint breeze drifted through the courtyard.

  A strange, unfamiliar scent. Soft, cold, sharp... almost like moonlight itself.

  He frowned slightly.

  Sylus noticed. "What is it now?"

  Ardion shook his head. "Nothing."

  But he knew it wasn't nothing.

  Because somewhere on the other side of the campus, a certain someone was setting their foot into Astrael Royal Academy for the first time.

  And fate had just shifted.