Chapter 25: A Princess in Panic
Mia ran.
She didn't even know where she was going.
The cool evening air rushed past her face as she hurried down the quiet street, her mind spinning with confusion.
Princess.
Genovia.
Grandmother.
None of it made sense.
"This is crazy… this is completely crazy…" she muttered under her breath.
Her messy hair bounced wildly as she ran past the familiar houses in her neighborhood. Normally she would feel safe here, but tonight everything felt strange.
After a few minutes she slowed down, breathing heavily.
Her thoughts were still racing.
"A princess? Me?" she whispered.
She pushed her glasses up nervously.
"That's ridiculous."
Just then, a familiar voice spoke nearby.
"You're going to trip if you keep running like that."
Mia jumped in surprise.
She turned her head and saw someone standing near the streetlight.
Anshul.
He had been leaning casually against the fence across the street, but now he stepped forward.
"You?" Mia said breathlessly.
"You look like someone just told you the world is ending."
"Something worse," she replied.
"Oh?"
"My mom says I'm a princess."
Anshul blinked.
Then he rubbed his chin thoughtfully.
"That's… interesting."
Mia stared at him.
"That's all you're going to say?"
"What else should I say?"
"I don't know! Something like 'that's impossible' or 'this is insane!'"
Anshul shrugged slightly.
"I mean… stranger things have happened."
Mia groaned.
"You're not helping!"
She dropped onto a nearby bench and buried her face in her hands.
"This day started with me throwing up in class and now I'm apparently royalty."
Anshul couldn't help smiling a little.
When Mia noticed, she immediately looked offended.
"Why are you smiling?"
"I'm not."
"You are!"
"Okay maybe a little."
Mia crossed her arms.
"You think this is funny."
"No," Anshul said more gently.
"I think you're overwhelmed."
Mia looked away.
"Well obviously."
For a few seconds neither of them spoke.
The street was quiet except for the distant sound of cars passing through the city.
Finally Mia sighed.
"She said my dad was the crown prince of some country called Genovia."
Anshul nodded slightly.
"I've heard of it."
"You have?"
"Small European country."
Mia stared at him.
"You're taking this way too calmly."
Anshul chuckled softly.
"Maybe because I've seen stranger situations."
Mia raised an eyebrow.
"Like what?"
Anshul paused for a moment.
"Well… one time I got lost in San Francisco and ended up inside a high school."
Mia couldn't help laughing a little.
"…Okay that was actually funny."
For the first time since leaving the house, the tension in her shoulders relaxed slightly.
She leaned back against the bench.
"What if it's true?" she asked quietly.
"Then you're a princess."
"I don't want to be a princess."
"Why not?"
"Because princesses are supposed to be elegant and confident and… not me."
She gestured toward herself.
"Look at me."
Anshul studied her for a moment.
Messy hair.
Oversized sweater.
Thick glasses.
And a nervous expression.
But behind all of that was someone genuine.
Someone kind.
Someone who cared deeply about the people around her.
"You're fine the way you are," he said.
Mia blinked.
"…Really?"
"Yeah."
"That might be the nicest thing anyone said to me today."
Anshul suddenly felt slightly embarrassed.
He scratched the back of his neck awkwardly.
"Uh… well…"
Mia noticed his reaction and smiled.
"Are you shy?"
"No."
"You totally are."
"I'm not!"
She laughed again.
The sound felt surprisingly warm.
After a moment she stood up.
"I guess I should go back home."
"Probably."
"Even if it's crazy."
"Especially if it's crazy."
They began walking slowly back toward her house.
After a few minutes Mia glanced at him again.
"You know… today would have been way worse without you."
Anshul looked slightly surprised.
"Really?"
"Yeah."
She hesitated before adding softly,
"I'm glad I met you."
For some reason, those words made Anshul feel strangely nervous.
He rubbed the back of his neck again.
"Me too."
Mia smiled.
When they finally reached her house, the limousine was still parked outside.
Mia stopped at the gate.
"Well… here goes nothing."
She looked back at him.
"Wish me luck."
Anshul nodded.
"You'll be fine."
She took a deep breath and walked toward the door.
Meanwhile, Anshul remained standing outside for a moment.
Watching her disappear inside.
He wasn't heartless.
He wasn't manipulating her.
And he certainly wasn't treating this world like a game.
Because somewhere along the way—
He had started caring about the girl who just discovered she was a princess.