"Let me help you, if you don't mind," Jace said.
He bent down and gathered the remaining books scattered on the floor, and handed them to her.
"Thank you," Isolde murmured, collecting the books from his hands. "I should get going."
"Wait— not so fast, pretty," Jace said hurriedly, stepping in front of her and blocking her path.
Isolde just stood there looking at the flustered guy Infront of her.
"Are you on WhatsApp?" Jace asked. She stared at him but said nothing.
"Or… can I have your number?" he added, flashing a flirtatious smile.
"E-ehm… I don't have one," Isolde replied. Before he could say anything else, she turned and walked away, before Jace could put his words together Isolde have already disappeared among the crowd.
"That's odd…" Jace muttered, scratching the back of his head, he couldn't believe that a whole play boy like him could lose his composure Infront of a girl.
"Seems like your new crush isn't an easy one," Dave said as him and Andrew walked up to the flustered Jace. The three of them watched as Isolde disappeared among the students.
"Do you guys think I can make her my girlfriend?" Jace asked with a serious face.
Dave and Andrew burst out laughing at him. Who would believe that a girl could make the mighty Jace doubt his skills in pursuing women.
Later that evening, Jace arrived home stepping into his family villa.
"Good evening, Young Master," the maids greeted one after another as he passed the corridor.
He was heading straight for his room when a deep, authoritative voice stopped him on his track.
"So you can now walk confidently past us now without greeting?" Mr. Smith said angrily. He was seated in the living room as his wife—Jace's stepmother, Mrs. Smith sat down beside him.
Jace stopped in his tracks and slowly turned to face them nonchalantly.
"You ingrate!" Mr. Smith snapped. "Did you suddenly become blind? Or do you no longer see us in this house?"
"And who said she's my mother?" Jace replied coldly to his father. "If I remember clearly, my mother is already late—and you and your dear wife here are the ones responsible for that."
"You— you b*st*rd!" Mr. Smith roared in anger. "Do you still consider me as your father?"
"When last have you ever treated me like your son?" Jace shot back.
"When last have you truly looked at me. Jace added.
" All I feel towards you is hate and resentment. Jace added fiercely.
"Honey, please," Mrs. Smith said softly, placing a hand on her husband's arm, trying to calm him down. "Don't get overworked. He's still a child. Forgive him."
Jace scoffed at them and walked away without saying another word.
Once, Jace had a peaceful and happy family—until his father brought his evil mistress into their home. Not long after that, his mother died mysteriously, and the mistress took her place as Mrs Smith shortly after his mother's death.
He had a stepbrother, Kelvin by name,he is still in elementary school. Kelvin always tried to get close to him, but Jace always pushes him away every single time.
As the rightful heir of Smith Enterprise, Jace carries a lot of resentment in his heart.
Meanwhile, Isolde arrived home later that evening and walked straight into the study to meet kael.
Kael was there, seated at his desk, as he is carefully examining different ancient keys laid out on a roll on black velvet.
"You seem busy," Isolde said quietly as she closes the door behind her.
Kael looked up at her and smiled warmly. He Walked toward her, lifting her gently he placed her on a chair beside his as if she weighed nothing.
He turned around, he walked to the locked freezer and opened it, he brought out a sealed pack of blood, and handed it to her with a smile.
"Drink," he said softly gesturing her. "You need your strength."
Isolde collected the blood and gulped it down in one go, as she licked her red tinted lips.
"So, how was the class today?" Kael asked, moving to the seat in front of her.
"Well…" Isolde hesitated a bit. "It went well she finally said."
Humans can be pretty interesting, she said with a small smile, her gaze dropping to her hands. Her fingers tingled as she remembered how they had brushed against Jace's when he handed her the book earlier.
Kael raised a brow in question. "I hope you haven't started having weird fantasies, Princess."
"No, I haven't," Isolde denied immediately, a little too quickly but kael wasn't convinced.
"Then that's good to hear," Kael said. "Remember, the king warned us about humans. They aren't good people. They may seem kind at first—until they find out what we are." kael tried to make her understand.
"I know," Isolde replied quietly.
"Good," Kael said firmly.
"But don't you think some of them might be different…?" Isolde began.
"There is always a good you know.
"No," Kael cut her off sharply in disapproval.
"You should go and rest now, my princess," he added after a moment of silence between them.
Isolde stood up and left without saying another word.
That night, in the Night Blood Kingdom, the seer stared into the ancient mirror and sighed.
"At this rate," she murmured to herself, "the princess might end up dying."
The following day, Isolde walked to school after having a discussion with Kael. About keeping a low profile, she had to blend in like a regular student.
Just then, Jace pulled up in his red sporty car and stopped right in front of her.
Girls screamed in excitement as they sighted the red sporty car, practically worshipping his striking features. Isolde stood silently, watching the guy who had almost knocked her down few minutes ago step out of the car and walked to her.
"If you don't mind, let's walk in together," Jace said as soon as he reached her standing spot.
The girls around them burned with jealousy.
"Jace!" a voice called out before the two could head to class.
Both Jace and Isolde turned towards the furious voice.
June walked towards them and standing in front of them. Without warning, she raised her hand and slapped Jace hard across the cheek.
Everyone gasped in shock.
"You *ssh*l*!" June cursed with a clenched teeth, raising her hand to hit him again.
Jace caught her wrist mid-air and smirked at her making her more angry and upset. Furious, June lifted her leg and kicked him hard between the legs.
Jace screamed in pain, clutching himself.
"June!" he cursed her name through clenched teeth.
"You think you can use me and dump me, you *ssh*l* right? Go to hell!" June snapped.
"I'll get going first," Isolde said calmly, dismissing herself.
Jace tried to stop her, but she walked away without looking back.
He turned to face the furious June standing before him. Reaching into his pocket, he pulled out his car key and tossed them to her.
"That's our breakup fee," Jace said firmly.
The crowd erupted in excitement and awe. It was well known that Jace always paid a settlement fee after a breakup—that alone was enough reason many girls wanted him.
June scoffed and picked up the keys with Joy. She raised her hand to slap him again, she paused halfway, then turned around walking away.