Rise

Ascension

Does a person seek love? Is it about carrying two souls in one body, or simply being loved? Perhaps a person never truly knows what they want. But love is different. It doesn’t seek reciprocation, nor does it beg for affection; it simply loves, it simply exists. Isn’t that strange? When we lose someone, our tears are not for them, but for the version of ourselves we can no longer see. Selfish human... So why aren’t we like this in love? It’s as if the strings are not in our hands, and our heart charts its own course.

They say if you don’t fall in love before eighteen, what follows is merely a dance of reason. But high school? That’s a different story. The first spark, the first unrequited crush, the first flutter of the heart. Everyone’s story is unique, vibrant; but what happens when an ordinary soul falls for the shining prince of a royal school? Then love becomes woven with plans. Desperately, bravely, sometimes even strangely.

Seher Asel Kaftancıoğlu

The things we want in life rarely happen by miracle. For everything else, one must make a plan and stick to it meticulously. If you wait for a miracle, well, keep waiting.

I had done just that. With great discipline, I worked hard and finally, on my third attempt, I earned a spot at the royal high school after failing the first two years.

My father was reluctant to agree, furrowing his brows and saying, “I don’t feel good about you going.” After all, it was a boarding school, and yes, I wasn’t entirely at ease either, but every fledgling bird leaves the nest someday, right? My mother, on the other hand, said, “What if I fall while hanging curtains here and have a brain hemorrhage?” I couldn’t say, “Then don’t fall”; I just pursed my lips and looked at her. My aunt was preparing a dowry, as if I were heading to the royal school as a bride. In the end, the family council convened, and it was unanimously decided that I should go.

I packed my suitcase. My mother was a great help in that regard. Then came the absurd goodbyes. My mother cried, and my father gave a long speech about calling him, with fifty percent of it about boys. Dating and such. As if any boy would be interested in me.

When all the preparations were done and I boarded the train, I felt a mix of fear and excitement. Thankfully, I wasn’t alone. My friends from middle school, Öykü and Eylül, had also been accepted. They had called me, crying, “We got in! Is this a joke?”

When my phone rang again, I saw it was Eylül. “Come to the second carriage,” she said, hanging up in excitement. “We got in, girls!” I said, as if I still couldn’t believe it.

The three of us hugged in the carriage, laughed, and made plans throughout the journey. The school’s dining halls, rooms, rules… and, of course, the royal members.

The journey was long, but we finally entered the city where the school was located. The three of us started looking out the window. The city felt absurdly wealthy. I opened the window to see more clearly. The scent of the mountains hit my face. The September sun was just rising. A forest full of pine trees was illuminated by the sunlight. It smelled of resin. Then, in the distance, red-tiled roofs appeared. There were old stone streets. I could almost call it vintage. Small cafés, tiny bookstores, a massive library. I absolutely have to come here. And then, as we walked toward the city’s highest hill, the school appeared before us.

Eylül seemed to lose her breath, Öykü’s eyes widened, and I just stood there, gazing at the magnificent structure rising before me. As we climbed the city’s highest hill, this view, emerging through the trees, felt like it had leapt from the pages of a fairy tale. But this fairy tale carried not only beauty but also mystery and a slight chill. The school was like a castle—not Cinderella’s cheerful castle or a place where princesses danced. It was a gothic splendor, steeped in history and secrets.

I turned to the girls and whispered, “Our lives are about to change.”

When we arrived at the school, the gates of grandeur opened.

I paused at the entrance for a moment. It felt like a castle from an English film. Gray stone walls, gothic arched windows, an air of nobility everywhere… Ivy climbed the walls, nearly hiding some of the stones. Towers stretched toward the sky, their flags fluttering lightly in the breeze.

Across from us, there was a wide lawn flanked by dormitories. The girls’ dorm was on the left, with flowers at the entrance, delicate arched windows, and a warm atmosphere. The boys’ dorm was on the right, more austere with dark stone, but still very impressive. They stood facing each other, as if challenging one another. On the lawn, students were hanging out—some laughing, some chasing a ball.

We all stared at the school for a while. Then Öykü said, “Come on, let’s go inside; we still need to unpack.” At the girls’ dorm entrance, a girl greeted us.

“Welcome to the royal school. Tell me your names, and I’ll tell you your room,” she said. She seemed sweet, wearing the school uniform.

“Seher Kaftancıoğlu. Thank you so much,” I said. She turned to us and suddenly frowned.

“You’re scholarship students, right?” she asked. I expected the condescension, but not this quickly.

“Yes,” I said firmly.

“Top floor, right side,” she replied.

We were about to take the elevator to the top floor with our suitcases. The dorm’s entrance was quite impressive too. A massive crystal chandelier, polished wooden floors, a spacious hall, high ceilings, and the chandelier’s sparkle in the sunlight.

We got into the elevator and went to the top floor. I had read that all rooms were single occupancy. But as soon as I stepped into the room, I saw it was for three people. Of course, it was because we were scholarship students. Three scholarship students, one triple room. I wasn’t surprised.

Three single beds were positioned in different corners of the room, their dark wooden frames so elegant that you’d feel like a princess. Each bed had thick, fluffy comforters, tempting me to jump on them. The beds were so far apart that if one of us snored, the others wouldn’t even hear it!

“This room is pretty big,” Öykü said.

“Good thing it’s big, or we’d be stuck in single rooms like everyone else,” I said.

“Nothing we can do about it; let’s make do with what we have,” Eylül added.

In the middle of the room was a large, polished wooden floor with a soft, oversized rug. On one side, there was a tall, gothic arched window overlooking the school’s lawn and the boys’ dorm across from it. When I pulled back the curtain, I could hear the laughter of students hanging out on the grass. Below the window was a massive wooden desk for the three of us, with an old-fashioned lamp and a few empty notebooks. Three chairs were lined up next to the desk, and in the corner was a small, empty bookshelf that I was sure would soon be filled.

Each bed had a nightstand with a sleek, brass-footed lamp. A few old paintings hung on the walls, depicting scenes from the school’s history, but I didn’t pay much attention to them. There were separate wardrobes for each of us in the corners, and as I unpacked, I said, “There’s plenty of space!”

We finished unpacking. A woman came to take our measurements and said, “Your uniforms will be in your room by tomorrow.” That was great news.

We wanted to spend more time in the room, but before we could, our phones pinged with messages. Our full class schedule was sent, and we had already been added to a class group chat. Information traveled fast here.

We put on the temporary burgundy jackets we were given and headed to the school, and yes, the inside of the school was jaw-dropping.

The stone building had countless floors—I’d have to explore to figure out how many. As we walked, light streamed through large windows and curtains on either side. Another grand crystal chandelier. We couldn’t be late, so we set aside our exploration for now and rushed to find our classroom, A1101.

“This is the first floor,” Eylül said. We followed her and entered the classroom.

As soon as I opened the door, the smell of old books hit me—that mix of polished wood and a scent that transports you to another time. The classroom felt like a secret chamber in a royal palace. The ceilings were so high my neck hurt from looking up. Crystal chandeliers hung above, catching the morning sunlight and scattering tiny lights that danced on the desks. Massive oil paintings of kings and queens adorned the walls, staring down so seriously that I briefly wondered, “Did I walk into the wrong class?” I felt a strange weight on my shoulders, as if they were watching me.

The desks… oh, those desks! Made of dark oak with gold-leaf carvings, they were incredibly grand. Silver letters spelled out the students’ names on them. When I ran my finger over my name, my heart raced, and a lump formed in my throat. “Is this really my place?” I thought, still in disbelief.

I sat by the window, looking out at the royal gardens stretching into the distance. Even the flowers seemed different, perfectly arranged as if measured with a ruler. The dorms and the lawn were visible too, with students passing by, laughing. I turned to the blackboard—it wasn’t ordinary either; made of black marble with delicate gold lines along the edges.

Öykü was behind me, and Eylül was behind her.

Suddenly, murmurs rose in the classroom. “The king’s here,” or something like that. Was it the teacher’s last name or a nickname? Then he walked in—wearing the royal school’s navy-blue, gold-embroidered uniform. The school crest was stitched on his shoulder with silver threads, and his jacket buttons gleamed in the light. Light blue eyes, neatly combed blond hair slightly swept up, broad shoulders… He wore a crisp white shirt and a neatly tied burgundy tie. His posture was upright, his chin slightly raised—he looked like a prince ready to prove himself. A faint smile on his face carried both warmth and a distant nobility.

Who are you, and why are you so handsome?

Two others, equally regal, were with him, but he came straight to me and said, “That’s always been my seat, and now you’re sitting there.”

“Uh, my n-name is written here,” I stammered. Come on, Seher, pull yourself together.

“Where’s my name written?” he asked, tilting his head. The desks were single, and mine was at the front by the window. One of his friends pointed to the desk in the middle front row and said, “Here.” I read the name on it: Alexander Bredley King.

“Sorry, I’ve sat here every year,” he said. I nodded and said, “It’s okay.”

As he sat down, his friends gathered around him. While they chatted, I turned around and saw Öykü staring at one of the two boys next to her.

“Öykü,” I whispered. “That black-haired guy is pretty hot, right?” she said. I glanced at him—black hair, brown eyes, sharp features—and Öykü was staring so intently.

“Öykü, if you keep staring, it’ll be obvious,” I said. She turned to me and said, “Obvious how?”

“That you’re in love,” I teased. “What are you talking about, Seher? I just find him attractive, is that not allowed? Besides, he wouldn’t look at me,” she said.

I chuckled and turned back around. But honestly, this Alex guy was really good-looking. The teacher walked in—a middle-aged man in a suit with long hair tied back in a ponytail. “Hello, everyone. We were together for math last year, and now we’ll have more geometry and math classes,” he said, and half the class groaned.

“But first, we have three new students in our class…” He paused, looking at a list. “Seher, Öykü, and Eylül. Correct?” We nodded.

“Welcome, girls. I hope you have a great year. Let’s start the lesson,” he said. After the class ended, while waiting for the next one, Alex and his group kept talking nonstop. The black-haired one Öykü was smitten with was mentioning a party. The quietest one was the sandy-haired boy. How would we learn their names? Then a message pinged in our group chat from Eylül—she had already found their names.

(Eylül): Alexander Bredley King, Thomas Gabriel Lancaster, Nicholas Reid Ashford. That’s them. Why do they hang out in a group? And why is everyone obsessed with them? (Öykü): Forget that, Thomas is seriously hot. (Eylül): Eh, not as much as Nicholas. (Me): Girls, should we focus on the lesson?

The next class started—a psychology teacher this time, with sandy hair, glasses, and a blue skirt suit. Toward the end of the class, she said, “I’ll assign a group project for the next class.” As the lessons went on, I felt both foreign and incredibly excited. It was a strange feeling, and I hoped we’d get used to it soon.

“We need to find the library; it feels like we’ll be spending our days there,” Öykü said. She was right—we had eighteen classes, and if our grades dropped, we’d lose our scholarships. As we left the classroom, looking around like strangers, Eylül said, “Wait, there’s a map on the school’s website.”

A girl overheard and approached us. “Don’t bother with the map; a lot of things have changed this year. Tell me where you want to go, and I’ll guide you,” she said.

“Oh, we’d be so grateful, thank you. Where’s the library?” I asked.

“I’m heading there too. Follow me, girls. By the way, I’m Elizabeth, but people call me Beth. And experience speaks—I’m in my final year,” she introduced herself briefly. As we followed her, Öykü quickly introduced us.

“Can I ask something?” I said. She nodded and said, “Of course.” Pointing to the group ahead, I asked, “Who are they? Especially the blond one—why is everyone after him?”

“Those guys? They’re the school’s, well, ‘popular’ kids, as they say. Alex is the most well-known. His family comes from royalty. Tom is from a duke’s lineage—his family actually built this school way back. And Nick is descended from a chief knight, one of the most important in the royal court.”

“So, they’re basically a big deal,” Eylül said.

“Especially King,” I added. She nodded. We followed her to the library. As we stepped through the heavy wooden door, my eyes were drawn to the overwhelming sight. The door creaked shut behind me, and the air carried a mix of old books, dust, and a faint hint of candle wax. The ceiling was high—maybe too high—but not soaring to the heavens; it just had that grand, old-building vibe. Light streamed through stained-glass windows, casting irregular shadows on the floor.

Shelves stretched from wall to wall, with rusty bronze ladders to reach the higher ones. The books were old—manuscripts, thick leather-bound volumes, and parchments collected during the royal family’s time. Not all were treasures; some were about alchemy, medicine, or war tactics, while others were probably never opened.

On the tables were scattered ink bottles, an old-fashioned magnifying glass, and a slightly dusty globe. This was clearly a place for work, not some magical discovery temple—just a serious library. In the distance, I saw a few students—not in cloaks, just in thick sweaters, wandering the aisles with books in hand. Their eyes held curiosity, but more of the “I need to finish this assignment” kind of urgency.

“Good luck, girls. I’m just dropping off a book and heading out. Here’s my number,” Beth said, handing us a card. Öykü took it, and we thanked her as she left.

We sat at a table, organizing the notes we’d taken and studying for upcoming topics. The day was nearly over when we called our families to say, “Don’t worry about us.” As we were leaving the library, I saw him. The blond, handsome guy. Arms crossed, leaning against a pillar, looking at us.

“Seher?” he asked. “That’s me,” I said. Why was he asking for me?

“Girls, give us a moment,” Alex said to my friends. They looked at me, and I nodded, so they stepped away. Alex walked over slowly, then burst into laughter.

“You told Beth you’re in love with me,” he said between laughs. What?

“I didn’t say that. I asked about you, yes, because you were in a group, and I was curious, but there was no talk of love,” I said.

“Come on, sweetheart, you can love me. I’m used to it. But isn’t it a bit fast for the first day?”

He was teasing me. I pointed my finger at him and stepped closer. “Listen here, sir.”

“I’m listening, darling. Go on.”

“I’m not in love with you. Don’t believe everything you hear. And if I were, I’d choose a normal person over an egoist like you!” I said.

“Even if you were,” he said, stepping toward me until my back hit the pillar he’d been leaning against. He leaned in close and continued, “It’d be impossible.”

“You’re too full of yourself. You’re not my type, and you’re not even that handsome,” I said. I was lying, but whatever.

“Oh, really, miss? Then why can I hear your heartbeat racing as I get closer?”

“Because I’m scared,” I said, and he immediately backed off. “Whatever, beautiful. I heard the gossip and couldn’t resist messing with you. Just don’t tell anyone else about this. I don’t want to be associated with someone like you.”

“I don’t want to be associated with someone like you either.”

“You can go.”

“Who asked for permission?”

I stormed out of the school and back to the dorm. As soon as I entered the room, the girls turned to me. I sat on my bed and told them what happened.

“But we didn’t say anything like that!” Eylül said.

“We need to ask Beth why she lied,” I said.

“She seemed so nice, too,” Öykü said. Eylül nodded, “Yeah, she was really friendly.”

“And what’s with the ‘if you loved me, it’d be impossible’ nonsense?” Öykü said. “He’s acting like he’s above you,” Eylül added.

“He will love me,” I declared suddenly. Öykü and Eylül looked at me, confused.

“I’m not letting this slide. He’ll fall for me, mark my words. We’re making a plan,” I said. The girls stared at me in shock.

Eylül broke the silence. “Have you lost it? We came here to study. If our grades drop, we lose our scholarships.”

“My scholarship won’t be affected because this won’t ruin my life. I’ll make him fall for me, and when he does, I’ll dump him. He’ll see what ‘impossible’ really means,” I said. What am I even saying?

“She’s right. That’s how you deal with guys like that,” Öykü said.

Eylül added, “If this affects your grades, I’ll put an end to it, just so you know.” Her approval made me feel even more determined.