Chapter 1 the beginning
"Liz... Liz..."
a voice whispered urgently through the dark.
"What are you doing? It’s the middle of the night, come on, stop searching through your things."
Liza didn't look up from her suitcase.
Her friend groaned, her voice thick with sleep.
"Don't you know we have our final tomorrow? Plus, the headmaster has already ordered his people to prepare for your departure.
Is that why you're packing? Do you really have to leave now?"
"Huh?"
Liza finally turned, her voice dropping into a sad, quiet tone.
"Yeah... I have to leave tomorrow."
"But Liza!" her friend cried out, looking shocked and hurt.
"What do you mean tomorrow? We're leaving just two days after the end of 12th grade? We planned so much together! How can you just leave like this? It's so unfair."
Liza felt a lump form in her throat. Seeing her friend’s annoyed face and hearing the heartbreak in her voice made it real.
Liza stepped forward and wrapped her arms tightly around her.
"I'm sorry, darlin'," Liza said softly, her voice cracking with sadness.
"I can't say no to my father.You know how he is."
Her friend let out a weak laugh, trying to lighten the heavy mood. "Yeah, yeah. You royal people and your royal things. Whatever you say, Princess."
Liza laughed through her tears. "I am going to miss you guys so much.""We'll miss you too," her friend replied softly.
The next morning arrived all too quickly. Liza’s older brothers arrived right on time to pick her
Sitting by the plane window, Liza looked down at London one last time. She was leaving behind years of studying, unlimited memories, and her closest friends. She felt a wave of sadness, but beneath it, an electric spark of excitement. She was finally going home to see her parents, her childhood cousins, and the place she had only heard stories about for years.She closed her eyes, imagining the tales her father used to tell her: stories of a magical river, breathtaking mountains, joyful nature, and respectful creatures. She was finally returning to the happiest village on earth—a place known for its healthy, joyful, and deeply connected people.But as the plane soared into the sky, Liza had no idea just how much her life was about to change.After a long twelve-hour journey, the plane finally descended through a thick blanket of silver clouds. Below lay the Kingdom, a legendary sanctuary known to its people as the Village Island of Love.
The moment Liza stepped off the aircraft, she was completely awestruck by the sheer beauty of her homeland. She walked forward with slow, deliberate steps, trying to take it all in. Brightly colored, exotic birds flew overhead in synchronized patterns, their melodies sounding like a synchronized welcoming choir. Large, smooth, iridescent stones lined the pathways, catching the light as if the very ground beneath her feet was celebrating her return. Vibrant, magical flowers bloomed in every direction, releasing a sweet, intoxicating fragrance into the air. Even the gentle island wind felt alive, swirling softly around her ankles like an affectionate pet trying to touch her feet.
As she walked through the central pavilion, a strange, overwhelming feeling washed over her—a deep sense of peace and a powerful, familiar presence. It was as if her soul had finally reached the exact place it had been craving for years.
Suddenly, a voice shattered her thoughts. "Sister... Sister!"
Liza turned around. Standing there was her big brother, Rai. A massive grin broke across his face as he stepped forward and gently patted her head.
"Oh, my little sis," Rai said, his deep voice filled with warmth and affection. "You have become such a young, beautiful lady. But in my eyes, you are still that tiny little baby I used to carry around."
Liza’s heart melted. She smiled brightly, tears pricking her eyes. "Oh, big brother, I missed you so much!" She stepped forward and wrapped her arms around him, burying her face in his chest.
As Rai led her out of the pavilion and into the heart of the village, the local people instantly stopped what they were doing. Word of the Princess’s return had spread, but no one was prepared for her striking presence. Whispers broke out among the crowds. The villagers gasped, utterly mesmerized by her elegance, her radiant skin, and the graceful way she carried herself. She looked every bit the royal daughter of the Island of Love.
The royal carriage brought them to the steps of the grand palace, where the King and Queen stood waiting. Liza didn't care about royal protocol; she ran up the marble steps.
"My child," her mother, the Queen, gasped, drawing Liza into a tight, warm embrace that smelled of jasmine and home. Her father, the King, placed a strong, proud hand on her shoulder, his eyes glistening with rare emotion.
"The light has returned to our kingdom," the King declared softly, kissing the top of her head. "Welcome home, Liza. Your true journey begins now."
That night, the village threw a massive welcoming feast, but Liza eventually slipped away to her private balcony, looking out over the moonlit island. The air was cool, the magical river in the distance glowed with a soft blue light, and the entire island seemed to hum with secrets. As she stared into the dark, a sudden, inexplicable shiver ran down her spine—the exact same strange presence she felt earlier that day. Tomorrow would be her first day at the island academy, and for some reason, she knew her life would never be the same.
The elite Island Academy didn't feel like a school; it felt like a playground for the rich and gifted.Liza adjusted the collar of her uniform, ignoring the heavy stares of the students lining the stone corridors.
She could hear their loud whispers trailing after her—
"Is that the Princess?" "Look at her..."
—but she kept her eyes straight ahead, refusing to let them see her sweat.Then, the hallway went dead silent.The gossiping students instantly parted like the Red Sea, backing away against the lockers.
Liza stopped.
Walking down the center of the hall was a guy who looked like he owned the entire island.
Eighteen. Messy dark hair. A uniform worn so carelessly it was practically an insult to the dress code. He had a dangerous, effortless smirk on his face, flanked by a group of guys laughing at something he’d just said.
Zen.
He was magnetic, but there was an electric, chaotic energy vibrating around him.
Literally.
Liza blinked, her eyes widening as she noticed the tiny, faint static sparks snapping at his fingertips, burning out before they touched the floor. Nobody else seemed to notice, completely blinded by his charm.Liza’s breath caught in her throat.
The moment her eyes locked onto him, a violent, burning shockwave hit her chest. It wasn't a crush. It was a terrifying, suffocating wave of familiarity.
Her heart hammered against her ribs so hard it ached. I know him, her mind screamed. How do I know him?
As if he could physically feel her thoughts piercing through the air, Zen’s smirk vanished. He froze mid-step.
He turned his head. His sharp, dark eyes cut through the crowded hallway, bypassing everyone else, and locked dead-center onto Liza.The silence in the hallway turned suffocating. Liza couldn't move. Zen didn't blink.The lazy, playful golden boy from a second ago was gone; his gaze was suddenly intense, predatory, and completely shocked. The faint sparks at his fingers flared a sharp, bright blue.
He didn't look at her like she was a pretty new girl. He looked at her like he’d just seen a ghost.
Zen took a predatory step toward her, his eyes burning into hers. Liza's instincts screamed at her to run, but her feet were glued to the floor. One more step, she thought, panic rising in her throat, if he touches me, something is going to break.
BRRRRRR-RING!
The school bell shrieked, shattering the silence like glass. The crowd instantly blurred back into motion, flooding the space between them.
Zen stopped.
Through the sea of moving students, he kept his eyes pinned to Liza's face. He slowly leaned against the wall, a slow, dangerous, knowing smile creeping back onto his lips. He raised two fingers to his forehead, giving her a mocking, silent salute, before turning on his heel and melting into the crowd.
Liza stood frozen, her hand pressed against her racing heart, her skin still tingling from a touch that hadn't even happened yet.
★★★.
By G.S.R
