Chapter 45: The Princess's Boyfriend
The news spread through the school faster than anyone expected.
By lunchtime, nearly every student already knew that Mia—the newly revealed princess of Genovia—was not only attending school as usual, but also apparently had a boyfriend.
And that boyfriend was the mysterious guy who had been walking beside her since the morning.
Inside the cafeteria, whispers traveled from table to table.
"Did you see them in the courtyard?"
"They were definitely holding hands."
"Who even is that guy?"
"I've never seen him before."
Some students were curious.
Some were jealous.
And a few were simply shocked that the quiet girl who used to sit in the back of class had suddenly become both a princess and the center of attention.
Mia sat across from Anshul at a small table near the window, trying her best to ignore the constant glances coming from every direction.
"This is so embarrassing," she muttered while poking at her lunch.
"Why?"
"Because everyone is staring."
"That was going to happen anyway."
"That's not comforting," she said.
Anshul leaned back in his chair calmly.
"You'll get used to it."
Mia sighed.
"I'm not sure I want to."
Before Anshul could reply, a group of students approached the table.
At the front of the group stood Lana, one of the most popular girls in school. She crossed her arms slightly while studying Mia and then shifted her gaze toward Anshul.
"So it's true," Lana said.
Mia blinked.
"What is?"
"You're actually a princess."
Mia nodded awkwardly.
"…Apparently."
The group of girls exchanged glances before one of them looked toward Anshul.
"And who are you supposed to be?"
"Mia's boyfriend," he replied calmly.
The direct answer caught them slightly off guard.
Lana raised an eyebrow.
"That was fast."
Mia turned slightly red but didn't deny it.
"We're… together," she said.
For a moment Lana looked like she might say something sarcastic, but instead she simply shrugged.
"Well, good luck with the whole princess thing."
Then the group walked away again.
Mia looked relieved.
"That could have been worse."
"It probably will be next time," Anshul said.
"Thanks for the optimism."
He smiled slightly.
After lunch they walked outside together.
The courtyard was still busy, but most students had returned to their classes.
Mia stretched her arms slightly while enjoying the fresh air.
"You know something?" she said.
"What?"
"This day would have been a complete disaster without you."
"That's what boyfriends are for."
She laughed softly.
"You seem surprisingly comfortable with the title."
"I don't see a problem with it."
"Good," Mia said.
They began walking toward the front gate where Joseph was waiting nearby.
However, several reporters were still standing outside the school fence.
The moment Mia appeared, cameras lifted again.
"Princess Mia!"
"Over here!"
"Is that your boyfriend?"
Mia froze for half a second.
Anshul gently guided her forward.
"Just keep walking."
They moved past the reporters and into the waiting car.
As the limousine pulled away from the school, Mia finally relaxed in the seat.
"That was terrifying."
"You did fine."
She looked at him carefully.
"You know something?"
"What?"
"You always look like you're planning something."
"Sometimes I am."
Mia tilted her head.
"What are you planning now?"
Anshul looked out the window at the passing streets of San Francisco.
"I think it's time to stop living in hotels."
Mia looked confused.
"What does that mean?"
"It means I'm buying a house."
Her eyes widened slightly.
"A house?"
"A villa."
Mia stared at him for a moment.
"Wow."
Then she laughed softly.
"My boyfriend buys villas like it's normal."
Anshul shrugged slightly.
"It will make things easier."
Mia leaned back in the seat.
"Well… if my boyfriend has a villa now, I guess I'll have to visit."
"Anytime."
The limousine continued moving through the city streets.
And somewhere ahead in San Francisco, a new home was about to become part of Anshul's growing world.