Elena Winter, daughter of Mr Raymond Winter, personal chef to the Ashford family, has always carried herself with quiet elegance. She dreams big, works hard, and believes that love only complicates life. Everything changes when she earns a scholarship to Crestwood Academy, a school built for the elite, where privilege rules and secrets spread fast.
At first, Crestwood feels exciting. Then Elena crosses paths with Crown Prince Kaelith Altherion of Valeria, a boy raised on power and pride who expects the world to bend for him. Their worlds collide after she witnesses something she was never meant to see. Soon she is caught between danger, defiance, and a connection she refuses to acknowledge.
Will Elena's determination protect her, or will it pull her into a forbidden bond that could reshape her future? And will her beliefs about love survive the truth she uncovers?
It was supposed to be a normal day at Crestwood Academy. Well, as normal as things ever get here, but that is a story for another time. I was on my way to Mr Wiston's office to submit some papers, still thinking about what I had seen at Westwood University, when someone grabbed my arm and pulled me into the storage room.
Before I could react, I found myself staring at the personal bodyguard of the crown prince. Yes, that crown prince. Kaelith Altherion of Valeria. The walking definition of arrogance, pride, and everything that goes wrong when someone grows up too rich.
The bodyguard shut the door, looked straight at me, and delivered his message with all the attitude I expected.
"His Majesty, Crown Prince Kaelith Altherion of Valeria, requests that you take these two thousand Valerian gold coins and forget everything you saw yesterday."
I stared at him, lifted my chin, and smiled. My answer probably was not what he expected.
"Since His Majesty is feeling generous, and since this is real life, not some romance story where the prince falls for the girl he tries to silence, I will not throw the money in your face. I will kindly help His Majesty spend it. And no, I am not forgetting anything."
With that, I walked out.