Their Hidden Princess (Zora) novel Chapter 54

Valentin’s expression was inscrutable as he regarded me, and whatever suspicions he might have harbored about my night with Maximus remained unspoken. Instead, he maintained a cool, detached demeanor, his gaze fixed on me with an intensity that felt almost oppressive.

“Miss Smith,” he said, his voice formal, cutting through the silence like a knife. “I was unaware of your presence here. I must extend my apologies.”

I could only respond with a mute stare, grappling with the weight of his gaze as it bore down on me. In a swift motion, he shifted his attention to Maximus, who stood nearby, his posture rigid.

“Mr. Wolfham,” Valentin declared, his tone clipped. “It has come to my attention that you were involved in the events of last night. The elder Miss Moonbeam has informed me of this.”

Max nodded curtly, and Valentin mirrored the gesture, his sigh heavy with unspoken tension. “If you would be so kind, I request that you join me in my office for a statement.”

“I will, but first I need to ensure Zora is safely back in her room,” Max replied, gesturing towards me, still nestled under the warm cocoon of his covers. Valentin’s smile, sweet yet sinister, sent a chill down my spine. Max, however, remained unfazed, his focus unwavering.

“I believe Miss Smith resides next door, does she not?” Valentin remarked, his lips pressed together in a smile that felt more like a sneer. “I’m certain she can manage the walk home on her own.”

Max remained silent, the air between them thick with unspoken animosity as they exchanged glances sharp enough to cut. Then, he turned to me, his expression softening, a stark contrast to the tension that had just filled the room.

“Is that alright?” he asked, his voice gentler than I had ever heard it. “I don’t want to leave you alone if you’re feeling uneasy.”

“I’m fine,” I replied, my voice barely a whisper, as I cast a glance towards Valentin. “He’s caught, right?”

“Yes,” Valentin confirmed, his tone clipped. “He is currently in the campus holding cell.”

I looked back at Max, who seemed to relax slightly. “Then I’ll be okay,” I assured him, managing a small smile. “Really.”

Maximus nodded, then rose from his chair, his movements deliberate and measured as he followed Valentin out of the room. Just before the door clicked shut, he cast one last concerned glance in my direction. I responded with a shaky smile, though it felt more like a mask than a reassurance, before the door shuddered closed behind them.

Once I heard their footsteps retreating down the stairs, the dam within me broke, and I was overcome with a tidal wave of emotion. I collapsed back onto Max’s bed, letting the sobs wrack my body as I struggled to come to terms with the events of the previous night. The confusion and fear spiraled within me, mingling with the lingering echoes of Max’s protective instincts and Valentin’s unsettling demeanor.

Nothing about this made sense. My mind felt like it was unraveling, and I couldn’t shake the horrifying thought that someone had gone to such lengths to drug me and—

I couldn’t complete the thought. The very idea of what could have happened sent shivers down my spine. I hastily wiped my tears with the back of my hand, taking a deep breath to steady myself before dragging myself out of bed and into the hallway.

When I stepped into my room, the emptiness hit me like a cold wave. I quickly shed the revealing outfit Loren had lent me, feeling its weight as a reminder of the night’s horrors. I rushed into the bathroom, scrubbing my skin until it was raw, desperate to wash away the remnants of my shame.

**18:29 Tue, Dec 9**

**Chapter 54**

Yet, despite my efforts, I still felt tainted.

As I emerged from the bathroom, still wrapped in my towel, I was enveloped in a sudden embrace. I gasped, startled, but relaxation washed over me when I recognized the familiar flurry of white hair nestled beneath my chin. Overwhelmed, I burst into tears once more.

Loren gently guided me to my desk chair, her hands smoothing my hair as she settled me down. She began to chatter nervously, her concern palpable as she checked me for any signs of injury.

“I’m so sorry, Zora. I thought you were alright, and I should have known better. I should have been there, and I can’t forgive myself for not being more vigilant. Thank the Gods that Maximus was there, and Alessia and I just—”

Her voice cracked as she too succumbed to tears, pulling me back into a bear hug. We sat together in my desk chair, two friends lost in a moment of shared grief, crying into each other’s hair for what felt like an eternity. Eventually, I pulled back, a humorless laugh escaping my lips.

“I’m still in my towel,” I sniffed, the absurdity of the situation breaking through the haze of my despair.

Her words dissolved into sobs once more. I reached out, gripping her shoulders gently. “Hey,” I said softly, trying to soothe her. “I’m okay. I’m here. Maximus said he caught it before anything happened.”

“I know,” Loren said, her voice laced with hysteria. “But you were so—”

She flinched at the memory, and I rubbed her shoulders again, trying to ground her. After a moment, she wiped her tears and pressed on with the story.

“Max picked you up and took you to Petyr’s room,” she explained. “Alessia was furious. Apparently, Jackell had asked Petyr to convince Sissy to invite you. She was livid with Petyr, thinking he had something to do with it. But he was just as shocked as we were.”

I nodded, feeling a sense of relief knowing that Alessia had been looking out for me. It was also comforting to realize that Petyr didn’t harbor any ill will towards me as I had feared.

“Maximus took you back to his room,” Loren concluded, her voice steadying. “He didn’t want to leave you alone. Sissy and I went to wake up Lunerly. He had security grab Jackell immediately. They questioned us for the rest of the night. I just got home a little while ago.”

I hummed in acknowledgment. “Thank you,” I whispered, my heart swelling with gratitude. “Really. If you hadn’t looked for me, I don’t know—”

I hesitated, the dark thought looming over me. I licked my lips, forcing a sad smile.

“Just,” I sighed, “thank you.”

“What are friends for?” Loren replied softly, her eyes glistening with empathy.

I stood up and made my way to my closet, pulling out the largest sweatshirt I could find along with a pair of matching pants. I slipped them on quickly, hanging up my towel with a sense of finality. As I combed through my curls, I couldn’t help but frown at the memory of how beautiful and straight they had looked the night before.

With one last suffocating hug, I enveloped Loren in my arms, holding on tightly before I finally stepped away and made my way to Headmaster Lunerly’s office, my heart heavy but resolute.