Chapter 11

The man before me turned his head and looked at me, his face a little shocked from seeing me. His eyes narrowed a little at my distraught appearance, probably wondering why I looked like I just came from hell.

He turned his head back to the woman, and whispered something to her ear making her smile and leave while I stood stoned, my heart beating fast, not really believing what I was seeing. It was as if a fairy granted my wish and poof, there appears my dad.

"Dad, is that really you?" I asked, almost whispering even though we were the only ones in the hallway.

He smiled and opened his arms. I ran to them with a bright smile and he caught me, twirling me around.

"H-how?" I asked, still not believing it. Parents weren't allowed to come inside the academy, except maybe Queen Elizabeth.

"Have you forgotten what I'm capable of?" He asked, smirking, his green eyes twinkling.

I laughed. My dad could really do anything if he wanted to do it. Even if I was at the end of the world, he would still have found me, and find a way to get to me.

We heard footsteps, and he snapped his head back frowning at the group of bodyguards who were looking around for something or someone—probably him.

He immediately put me down and pulled me to a secure location at the back of a sort of alleyway.

"How did you break inside, dad?" I asked worriedly.

"It's complicated," he said, turning his head from time to time, "I don't have much time, they're looking for me."

He faced me then caressed my tearstained cheek. "I was worried about you. What happened? Who did this?" His eyes were full of worry and concern.

I sighed. "Oh you know, just had a brawl with an arrogant jerk."

"His name." His eyes flared suddenly.

"Umm. . .Prince Gavier Czarkshaw."

"Let me give him a message then," He sneered, cracking his knuckles, his face looking like he was about to commit a murder. Oh no.

"It's okay dad, I handled it already," I said, remembering that I slapped the prick hard. It felt so good doing it too, probably too good.

"But what happened to your lips, they're so red and swollen."

I gulped, not knowing what to say to that. It would be weird to say we fought, then kissed, then fought again. That would be damn confusing, and damn I'm confused.

"I've been biting them," I lied and he just nodded his head, dropping the subject.

"Anyway listen Clarissa, you can't trust anyone here. People want you dead. You have to trust me on this, okay?" He caressed my hair affectionately.

"What do you mean dad?" People want me dead? Why?

"It's too soon to tell you, just trust me." He suddenly looked like he was in pain, the sadness in his eyes evident. What happened? I've never seen my dad like this and I hated it.

I hugged him. "It's okay, I trust you dad."

He smiled, but I could tell something big was still bothering him.

"Always be careful, especially be wary of Queen Elizabeth and anyone connected to her. But for the time being you're safe here."

"Okay." I nodded. "She seems so suspicious anyway."

"I know you have a lot of questions darling. But you're not ready yet. Now all you need to do is win that competition so from time to time I can bring you out of here when it isn't safe."

Oh, he was talking about the competitions held every year. I could do that.

"Is it the enemy?" I asked. It was probably one of his enemies, or many of them that were threatening to kill me to get to him.

"Yes, our enemy," He confirmed and looked at me seriously, "Remember everything I taught you and apply them."

"I've always applied them," I defended.

"That's my girl."

He smiled, looking even younger than he was. He had me when he was sixteen and me being seventeen only made him in his early thirties but he still looked like he was in his late twenties and he definitely acts like a child sometimes. I swear, there were moments when I get really mad because he was acting so preposterously.

We suddenly heard footsteps on our way, and we snapped our heads at the intruders. My heart accelerated at the sight of bodyguards coming our way. There were many of them and they looked strong and professional. Not good.

My dad squeezed my hand making me look at him. He looked so relaxed, it made me confused. I mean how could we get out of this situation? They've already seen him with me so he can't run otherwise it would confirm that he was the one they were looking for. We can't fight them back because they were too many. So why does he look like he was about to eat ice-cream?

Oh. I stared at his eyes and it was as if we had a connection. "Just go with the flow darling"

"Hey, hold it there!" One of the bodyguards said, and we both snapped our heads to the bodyguards who were a few steps before us. "I haven't seen you around here," He told my dad.

My dad's face suddenly flared, looking angry. "What do you want?" He growled, making the air tense, and a sense of authority upon him.

"There's an intruder that got inside. One of our coworker was found tied in one of the bathrooms and his suit stripped from him, and that suit sure hell look like it's his." The bodyguard advanced forward.

"Do you know who I am?!" My dad roared, his eyes glaring at him. "And what's this, you still haven't found him?!"

They looked back at him confused.

"I'm William Jackson from secret service." My dad rolled his eyes, and tugged his tie loosely, "I was told to inspect here, and this is what I get?! Slacking bodyguards suspecting me of the intruder that got in?! Do I look like an intruder to you?!" He shouted at them and I almost scurried away. My dad's acting was pro and he seemed really angry.

The bodyguards cowered back and paled.

"You see this nice lady saw him and I was asking her what the intruder looks like and here you go interrupting me. If I was to be in charge of the security here, you'll be fired immediately." He glared at them menacingly as they gulped.

"Now tell us malady, what does this guy look like?"

I immediately put a scared face. "He looks a bit chubby and short," I described, completely contradicting what my father, the real intruder looked like. "He tried harassing me. Good thing, this kind inspector was walking around and saw us but before he could catch him, he ran away to the east wing," I continued in a shaky voice.

My dad looked back at the guilty looking bodyguards who stood rigid. "What are you waiting for then?! GO get him!!" He ordered like an alpha and they scurried away as fast as lightning.

I relieved a sigh as my dad began to laugh very loudly. "Dumb fools."

"Dad quiet down, they might come back," I reasoned, still very worried about the bodyguards. It was a close call.

"Nah, they won't coz they're scared of me." He kept laughing still. "I miss those times. . ."

"Dad stop already. You need to go before they catch you," I snapped at him as if I was chiding a child.

"Okay mother, so mean, kicking me out already?" He leaned down, smirking then kissed me on the forehead.

"I love you darling, please be careful for me." He winked, walking backwards.

"And even if people don't think of you as a princess. You'll always be a princess to me, my very dear princess." He bowed his head down while smiling cunningly. "I'll be departing now your highness."

And then he was gone before I could reply.

"I love you too dad," I whispered in the air sadly, hoping he would be safe.

Then all too soon I was suddenly enveloped in a pair of arms from behind.

"Oh my god Clarissa! I'm so glad you're okay." It was Nessa's relieved voice.

She let go and I turned around, seeing her with Ria who smiled at me. "Of course she would be fine. Her prince charming saved her," she teased.

I frowned, not really wanting to remember what had happened between me and Gavier.

"What happened? Did you just cry?" Nessa asked after seeing my face, and began rubbing my arm.

Ria took my other arm, her face also concerned. "Did Gavier do anything to you?"

"We just had a fight. He basically thinks I'm a slut," I sighed, telling them.

"Oh my god, he's so mean!" Nessa exclaimed.

"This is why I hate guys," Ria groaned, her eyes glaring, "Especially arrogant bastards like him."

"Language Ria!" Nessa shouted at her as Ria rolled her eyes.

I chuckled watching them, feeling better already. "I'm fine guys. I don't give a damn about Gavier anymore."

"Clarissa, not you too!" Nessa sighed at me frustrated as Ria and I laughed. She really hates swearing. Too bad, she's stuck with me and Ria.

"But anyway, I'm glad you're okay now." Nessa smiled at me. "In fact I know a place to make you feel even better."

"I know that place too," Ria added.

"Where?"

They both looked at me with a knowing smirk. Uh-oh.

*****

I sighed, feeling my body melting with the heat. Sweat trickled down my face as I felt my body drown in the sensation. For a moment I couldn't even remember my name. What was it again?

Oh god.

"So do you like it?" Nessa asked, distracting my moment of bliss.

I took off the cucumbers that were placed on my eyelids and looked at her, smiling. "Of course Nessa, this is pure heaven."

"I told you she'll like it," Ria said as she dipped in with us.

The three of us sighed and relaxed in the Jacuzzi, as the bubbles reverberated on our bodies.

Apparently the academy had a bath house. The room we were in was VIP, the best class, which Nessa and Ria bought when they came here, so they could go here anytime they want to. It was like a small pool in a huge room. It even had a big flat screen, lots of towels, any type of massager equipment, lotions and a tanning compartment. These princesses sure hell know what type of luxuries they want.

Then again I was reminded that these were princesses, and this was an academy. Academy means school. School means teacher. Teacher means Mrs. Wales. Oh crap.

"Have you guys seen Mrs. Wales?" I asked, tensing a little.

"Yeah, she's teaching," Ria said casually.

"Did she watch the interview?"

"Oh you mean that dress part?" Nessa asked, "Ummm. . .she wasn't very happy about that."

I gulped.

"But she smiled with what you said to her in the camera, so I think you're safe for now," Ria assured me.

I sighed then remembered that I fainted. "What happened to me after I fainted?"

"Nobody told you yet?" Nessa asked incredulously.

I would have asked Gavier then if it weren't for the circumstances.

"No, I just woke up in a boy's room then you know, Gavier and I had a fight."

Nessa nodded and smiled. "Well that time when you fainted Prince Gavier almost dived and caught you. He looked really mad, it was kind of scary. You really scared us too. I'm so happy you're fine." She wrapped her arms around me and I returned her hug and smiled. What a sweet girl.

"You forgot the best part Nessa," Ria told her then looked at me, "Well you see the host tried carrying you. He was panicking a lot, well everyone was. You looked so pale. But Gavier pushed him away and said, 'Don't you fucking dare touch her!'" Ria mimicked and I could almost imagine Gavier saying it.

"Ria don't swear, that's why I left that out!" Nessa exclaimed. Ria just rolled her eyes at her again.

"Oh," was all I said, not knowing what to say. What the fudge was wrong with Gavier? I'm not his possession, and I'll never be.

"But nobody really noticed it because of the commotion. You were brought here immediately and we came to your aid but Prince Gavier ignored all of us. He just told your adviser Carlos that he'll take care of you and not to worry about it."

"Then there was this Chinese doctor that came. I saw him do a patient once. He put fire in his hands then spread it on the patient's limbs. It was pretty cool, he probably did the same thing to you." Nessa's eyes widened with fascination.

"I heard him say that there was something wrong with your back. Are you feeling okay now?" Ria asked me.

"Yeah, it doesn't hurt anymore," I said, surprised myself. When I woke up, I didn't feel any pain in any part of my body at all.

"Must be magic."

The door creaked open and we all turned our heads on that direction. We were all wearing towels but that was it. Ria stood up and told us she would see who it was. Nessa and I watched her get to the door curious to see who might be at the door.

"What is it?" Ria asked, her face expressionless, not caring that she was only wearing a wet towel that clung on her body.

"Oops, I got the wrong room," I heard a guy chuckle. The door opened a little more and I could see part of Prince Eric's smirking face.

"Hey Eric, that's not our room!" There was a shout outside that sounded so much like Lucas'.

"What he said," Ria grumbled and was about to close the door but Eric stopped it with his foot.

"Wait, surely I have seen you somewhere before," he said, raking Ria's curvy body, "I would never have missed such a fine specimen." He licked his lips. What a pervert!

I was about to help Ria get away from this perverted prince but it turned out she didn't need any help.

"I'll be honored to know your name, beautiful," He said, his voice husky and seductive.

"Mary Riallyn Havard, an heiress from London," Ria answered her face looked somewhat bored.

"I've never heard of such a beautiful name. It's like music to my ears." He charmed and took part of her wet hair and twirled it around his finger.

Ria only shrugged and Prince Eric stared at her harder, probably wondering why she seemed unaffected by his charm. Ria remained expressionless and just looked at him as if he was dumb.

"If you're bored, we can do something really fun. And I tell you, you won't be disappointed." He smirked, wiggling his eyebrows.

"Are you done yet?" She asked instead.

"Ye—no." He looked at her confused and frustrated.

Ria rolled her eyes then brought her knee up to his jewels.

Ouch!

"Ow fuck!!! Yo-You—" Prince Eric bent down, covering his precious possession.

Ria slammed the door closed and locked it before he could continue his profanities while Nessa and I just stared at her shocked, our jaws dropped open.

Ria sighed, looking relieved when she finally joined us again as we watched her, still speechless.

"What?" She asked us, "The guy deserved it and I've been wanting to do that since a long time ago."

Nessa and I finally shrugged it off. The guy deserved it after all.