The following morning, the sun rose slowly, bathing the outside world in a soft golden light. Aïnis lay on her bed, her eyes fixed on the ceiling, her mind still sluggish from the events of the night before. The party, her father's gift, the speech... everything seemed unreal now that the night had dissipated. However, this day marked the beginning of a new chapter. A chapter she hadn't truly anticipated.
University.
She had gotten up late, as she often did lately, finding no motivation to rush into a world she had yet to master. The sound of the coffee maker starting up upstairs pulled her out of her thoughts. A glance at her phone: several messages. All from her friends. But none of them knew what this day meant for her. Nor what she would have to endure. The weight of her father's control, the arrival of Blake in her life, and the persistent feeling that she was being followed, even in her most private moments.
Aïnis got up and walked toward her bathroom. The mirror reflected an image she knew well: her messy blonde hair, her tired yet sharp eyes. A sigh escaped her lips. It was just another day. But today would be different.
She slipped into a light white dress, perfectly suited for the campus vibe. A quick glance at her reflection. Perfect, as always. She made a final adjustment to her hair, letting a few strands fall delicately over her shoulders.
As she descended the stairs, the familiar voices of her father and the housekeeper, Rose, echoed in the air. But suddenly, a shadow stretched at the entrance. Blake. He was standing there, motionless, as usual. Dressed in his dark suit, as impassive as he had been the day before. A quick glance, but nothing more. He didn't need to speak to know what to do.
— Miss, he said neutrally. Your car is ready.
Aïnis stopped halfway down the stairs, her eyes lingering on him for a moment. She still couldn't get used to his constant presence. It was like a silent shadow following her everywhere. Sometimes, she wondered if Blake could read her thoughts, or at least sense her frustrations.
— Alright, she replied curtly. You don't have to accompany me to the university, do you?
Blake nodded calmly. He knew his role was to keep watch from a distance. He couldn't enter the campus without drawing attention. That was part of the contract.
— I'll wait outside, Miss. Be careful.
Aïnis ignored the last remark. It wasn't an ordinary day, but she wasn't going to give him the satisfaction of showing him he was right. She simply waved her hand as a farewell and got into the car.
The ride was in heavy silence, punctuated only by the sound of the tires rolling over the asphalt. Upon arrival, she swallowed before opening the door and stepping out. The university campus immediately overwhelmed her with its sounds, colors, and smells. The air was fresher than at home, and the lively atmosphere of the youth bustling around gave a sense of renewal.
University.
Groups of students loitered on campus, some heading toward the buildings, others sitting on benches, engaged in animated conversations. The large gray stone building in front of her stood imposing, almost intimidating. But Aïnis wasn't one to be intimidated. She walked confidently toward the entrance, immediately attracting a few curious glances.
The first impression was a mix of excitement and slight anxiety. The university world was unknown, a new terrain she would have to explore, understand, and conquer. But right away, she felt disconnected from this world. These young people, so free, seemed so... spontaneous. So innocent.
As she walked through the entrance hall, she spotted several familiar faces, but none of them made a move to stop her. The students seemed focused on their own little worlds. None of them knew who she was. In that instant, she felt... invisible. A strange sensation, but not unpleasant.
She headed toward her first class, the one she had carefully selected to avoid the "bad elements." When she opened the door to the auditorium, she found herself face-to-face with a crowd of students, sitting, whispering, laughing, exchanging ideas on subjects she barely knew. She spotted an empty seat at the back, next to a window. The perfect place to observe without being noticed.
The professor finally entered, a man in his fifties, graying hair, glasses perched on the tip of his nose. He didn't even seem to notice her arrival. Aïnis pulled out her laptop and focused on the screen. There was nothing interesting in the lessons anyway. But she knew she had to attend, pretend to fit in, like everyone else.
The class began. Aïnis couldn't help but cast furtive glances at her classmates. Students, all with different styles, but all absorbed in the same task: learning to succeed. She felt a small pang in her heart, a feeling she would never want to admit. This was a new era, and she was no longer the "queen" she had been in high school. That place was slipping away from her, slowly.
When the bell rang to signal the end of the hour, Aïnis quickly stood up. She slipped through the door before anyone could stop her. She needed air. She needed to be alone, away from these strangers who looked at her with curiosity.
As she stepped out, she found herself on a small path along a park. The sky was clear, and a light breeze brushed against her face. She sat on a bench, sitting up straight, observing the passing students, still feeling that sense of disconnection.
And then, like a ghost, Blake appeared at the other end of the path. He wasn't there to watch her directly, but he never took his eyes off her, keeping his distance. She sighed.
He was right: she needed to be careful. But why did it have to be so complicated?
At that moment, she heard a familiar voice behind her.
— Aïnis, is that you?
She turned around to see Raphaël, her childhood friend and fiancé, approaching her. He had a mischievous smile, arms crossed, as if he knew exactly what he had just interrupted.
— What are you doing here, Verdon? she asked with a forced smile.
— I should be asking you that. First day at university, and you're hiding out here?
— I... I'm just getting some air. That's all.
Raphaël raised his eyebrows. He seemed to sense that there was more, but he didn't press further. Instead, he sat next to her.
— I saw your bodyguard. Are you serious about this? he whispered with a stifled laugh.
Aïnis rolled her eyes.
— It's my father's decision. It's not even mine.
He looked at her for a moment, his gaze showing some concern.
— You know you can count on me, right? If it gets too weird with him, I'll be here.
Aïnis smiled weakly, but it was clear she didn't want to talk about it further.
— Thanks, Raphaël. But I have to face all this alone.
She turned her gaze toward Blake, still motionless in the distance. He hadn't moved an inch. A moment of silence passed between them.
— Of course, Raphaël said, I understand. But don't forget we're here for you, okay?
She nodded without saying a word. The pressure of the arranged marriage, Blake's constant presence, her father's expectations... everything.