Chapter 3: The Prince Is Back

Nicole Jane’s POV

I froze on the spot upon hearing his deep cold voice. My heart was pumping so loudly against my chest, and I couldn’t even make a single move.

When I finally had the courage to take a step back, my eyes widened in horror when he suddenly showed up in front of me.

Wait. How the hell did that happened? I didn’t even notice him pass me by!

My mouth dropped open, and I couldn’t help but be stunned when I was able to observe him freely. He was so damn tall that will make you look up at him. He also had pale skin, red lips, pointed nose and a pair of brown eyes.

Also, that messy hair of his doesn’t look bad at all because it suited him perfectly. His hands were both buried in his pockets, and he was wearing a plain white shirt with a black leather jacket hanging on his right shoulder. It was paired with a brown pants that he finished off with a black converse.

I blinked when he smirked, revealing his deep dimples. It felt like I was going to pass out any moment from now.

“Thanks for the compliment. I’m surprised that you’re that observant.” There was a hint of amusement in his voice.

It was like cold water was poured on me because of what he said. Did I say what was on my mind?

With just a blink of an eye, his face is now an inch away from mine and his right arm was encircled around my waist already.

Damn! He even smells good too. In short, he’s too perfect to be true!

Did he just come out of a book? He’s more like a fictional character for me.

“I knew it. You’re not one of us,” he whispered behind my ear so that I could almost feel his breath fanned against my skin.

I frowned. “What do you mean?” I asked in confusion even though my knees were almost weak from being so nervous. This is the first time a man has approached me like this.

In fact, I should have punched or kicked him away from me. But I don’t know. Something was holding me back from doing so.

“Are you even aware that you have this sweet scent that makes me want to taste you so badly?” His voice seemed hoarse.

It was like my blood had drained out because of what he said.

Sweet scent his face! I don’t even use that kind of perfume! And he wants to taste me so badly? He was handsome, but also a pervert!

I almost held my breath when he brought his face even closer to mine. The weather was cold, but I was starting to sweat.

What the hell?

I could only breathe a sigh of relief when he finally let go of me. I thought everything was fine already. But I just swallowed when his eyes suddenly lit up.

“I will repeat my question for the very last time. Who are you and how the hell did you enter here?”

I almost jumped in shock when the tone of his voice suddenly rose. I take back what I said earlier. No one is really perfect!

This man was just too much. “Can you not yell at me? I’m not deaf.” I glared at him.

He was about to speak when the door suddenly opened in front of us.

“Brother?”

“Cousin?”

Surprised and simultaneously asked of the two women who came out of the mansion.

I was stunned when my eyes shifted to them. The color of their skins was also pale, and they looked like princesses because of the small tiaras that were on their heads.

But their shocked faces were suddenly turned into confused expressions when they looked at me.

“Who is she?” the girl in a black halter dress asked. She became even more pale because of the color of her clothes.

The annoying jerk just shrugged. “I don’t know. I just saw her wandering here outside. At first, I thought you were the ones who let her in here. But of course, I know that you wouldn’t do that because she is...”

I was waiting for what he would say next, but he just looked away.

The two girls both gasped, then eyed me from head to toe as if I was some kind of unknown creature that they had never seen in their entire life.

“You’re...”

I’m starting to get annoyed. “I’m what?” They have been hanging me for a while.

The girl who wore a red cocktail dress started to walk towards me. If I’m not mistaken, she’s the one who called this guy brother. They both looked alike, and I’m certain that they’re siblings.

“Hi! My name is Miley. I bet you’re the new student.”

I rolled my eyes. Does the news really spread that fast in this school every time there is a new student? Is that a big deal here?

“Oh. Whenever there’s a new student here, they let everyone know.” She genuinely smiled at me.

I blinked. Am I just imagining things, or can they really read whatever I’m thinking?

“So, will you please tell us now, who you are?” she asked me calmly.

“My name is Nicole Jane Parker, and yes, I’m the new student.”

I had no intention of answering her question. But I didn’t know why those words spontaneously came out of my mouth.

She looked at my eyes directly. Even if I wanted to look away, I couldn’t. I felt that something was stopping me from doing so.

She nodded. “Okay. But how did you manage to enter here?”

The three of them looked at me seriously as if what I was going to answer was very important.

I pointed the way to the entrance of the forest. “I just thought about entering the forest earlier and walked straight. Then, I saw this beautiful mansion here. Out of curiosity, I just decided to come closer. I meant no harm.”

They frowned. “You saw the mansion?”

I was running out of patience as I nodded. What was their problem? With how big this mansion was, how could I not see it?

The three of them looked at each other as if they couldn’t believe what they heard. I see various emotions on their faces. Confusion, worry and amazement.

“But that’s impossible. Because you’re a human,” his cousin said.

“I’m what?” I didn’t hear the last thing she said because she just whispered that word.

She hesitated, smiling and tilting her head. “It’s nothing. Just forget about it. I’m Reiri, by the way.”

I accepted her outstretched hand. As usual, it was as cold as ice. Perhaps this is one of the things I should get used to here.

“Shall we? We’ll take you to your dorm. It’s getting late.” I nodded to Miley and followed them.

We were about to leave when I suddenly felt his cold and tight grip on my arm. I didn’t even know this guy’s name yet.

“Why are you not wearing your bracelet?”

I winced as he tightened his grip on me. I was about to slap him when his eyes suddenly turned red!

“Let go of me! You’re hurting me!” Trembling, I moved away from him as he suddenly let go of me.

“And why did your eyes suddenly turn red?” I asked, looking down while rubbing my arm. It seemed like he was planning to break my bones!

“Um, Nicole, what are you talking about? His eyes aren’t turning red,” Miley awkwardly laughed.

I slowly looked up and stared at him again.

His eyes were now brown again. But I couldn’t be mistaken! I really saw them turn red earlier!

“Crazy girl.”

My ears rang because of what he said.

“What did you just say?” Before I could charge at him, Miley pulled me away from him.

“Wait! I’m just going to teach your brother a lesson!” But when I turned around, he was no longer where he had been standing before.

I looked around, but I couldn’t see him anymore. He’s really fast!

I didn’t protest anymore when Miley and Reiri pulled me away again. They held onto both of my arms tightly.

Only when we were out of the woods did they let me go. But I stopped walking when they both turned to face me simultaneously.

“What now?” I crossed my arms in front of them.

Miley smiled. “We just wanted to ask you something.”

I shrugged and motioned for them to continue.

“Can we call you Nics?” Reiri bit her lower lip.

I was taken aback. They want to use a nickname that they can call on me.

No one dares to call me that. Most of the people I know call me either Nicole or just Jane.

I dislike being called anything other than my first name. But surprisingly, I found myself nodding, which made these two beautiful girls squeal with delight and hug me tightly.

“Hey! I can’t breathe!” I scolded them. They quickly let go of me.

“Sorry!” they both said at the same time.

“And also, we’re sorry for my brother’s behavior earlier. Just don’t mind him. Maybe he’s just jet-lagged from coming back from another country,” Miley explained.

So, his name is Kyle. I find his name cute. But when it comes to his attitude...

Never mind.

“One more thing,” Reiri said.

I suddenly looked at her.

“Nobody else should know about what you saw earlier,” she earnestly pleaded.

I raised an eyebrow. Seriously? What’s with that mansion? Is it some kind of special privilege or something?

Again, I just nodded and gave her a reassuring smile. I’m not a nosy person, after all.

Now I know why they forbid us from entering there. That place is a secret one.

Well, whatever.

When we reached the front of the dormitory building where I stay, I bid them farewell. But I paused at the entrance when they called out to me.

“What is it this time?” I asked irritably. I felt extremely tired today. I just wanted to rest.

They both gave me a worried look. “Please don’t forget to wear the bracelet. Don’t you ever take it off, or let it get lost while you’re here.”

I frowned. What’s so special about that bracelet?

I was about to ask when suddenly a strong gust of wind blew, causing me to shut my eyes.

The moment I opened my eyes, they were no longer in front of me.

***

I have been rolling around on my bed for a while now. I have already showered, done some advance reading for the upcoming lectures, and had a sound trip.

But I still can’t sleep, and my stomach is growling.

Earlier, as I was heading back here, I noticed that there were hardly any students outside. I didn’t ask Miley about it, so I was surprised when she suddenly spoke up.

“It’s almost time for dinner. I’m sure that almost all of the students are already in the dining hall.”

I was dumbfounded. I’m starting to wonder if they have some sort of clairvoyant abilities or something.

So, here I am now, very hungry. The dining hall is quite far from here, and it’s already late. Why did my laziness decide to strike me earlier and prevent me from going there?

In an instant, Kyle’s red eyes suddenly flashed in my mind once again. No matter how hard I try to forget about that matter, I just can’t. I know what I saw, and I can’t be mistaken. I saw it clearly how his brown eyes turned into red, and it still gives me a goosebumps until now.

I jolted upright as I remembered the last thing Miley said to me earlier. So, I went to the cabinet and opened its bottom drawer.

I took out the bracelet and placed it on my bedside table. Maybe I’ll find out more about the mystery surrounding it later.

For now, all I need is to get some sleep because this day has been so long and tiring.

***

Kyle Ethan’s POV

“Is it true?” my cousin, Vince, asked me right away. He is the older brother of Reiri. He just sat on the couch.

I am now in my room at the mansion, sitting on the edge of my bed. I just came back from Romania earlier, and I came straight here.

This mansion was especially built for the six of us. No one else can enter here except us, our families, and only high-ranking vampires. A common vampire can’t come near here, or even see this place.

Yes. We’re vampires, and not everyone knows about our existence. Even the human students in this academy don’t know anything about us.

I am a pureblood and, at the same time, the prince of our clan. The Clarkson family is the most powerful one amongst the remaining in the pureblood lineage. That’s why we take extra precautions.

“Thank you,” I said sarcastically to him. Is it more important to gather gossip than to welcome me?

“It’s really impossible. Especially since she’s a human. Unless, she was...” I didn’t even flinch when I felt Kira, my best friend, pop out beside me. Instant teleportation is his special ability.

“I’ve also thought about that matter,” I clenched my right fist.

“Should we tell the king and queen about this matter?” Hiro asked, lounging on the veranda. He was a close friend of Vince.

I just shook my head. There was a door, but he always liked passing through there.

I lay down on the bed and stared at the ceiling. “Nope. We’re going to observe her first.”

I suddenly remembered what happened earlier. Even from a distance, I could already smell the intoxicating scent of her blood. That’s why I hurriedly made my way here.

I was ready to attack whoever this stranger was. But when I finally saw her face from afar, I just couldn’t take my eyes off her. She’s so beautiful that I could actually stare at her for the whole day.

When I let her know of my presence, I could feel her fear and apprehension. But she’s not one of those ordinary girls who would suddenly freak out and run for their life.

Though if she only knew who we really are, then maybe she would do that.

When she was stunned, I took that opportunity to read her mind. I secretly smiled. Honestly, I didn’t expect her to still be able to think about and notice things like that about me in her situation.

Though I didn’t read her subsequent thoughts because I suddenly felt guilty. Besides, the use of our abilities is strictly prohibited, especially on humans, as someone might notice and witness it.

But we’re all confused about how she managed to see and approach this mansion. So, I can’t blame Miley for also using her special ability on Nicole, based on how she introduced herself to us.

They were about to leave when I noticed that she wasn’t wearing the bracelet we gave to protect the human students here. That’s the reason why I immediately sensed her presence.

I don’t know why I suddenly felt angry because of that. As a result, I held onto her tightly and my eyes turned red. I didn’t expect her to notice it immediately.

Fortunately, I quickly calmed myself down, so it went back to normal. I know she’s going to throw me a lot of questions. So, I took advantage of the opportunity to leave when she looked at Miley.

That girl, Nicole, is really different. If our hunch is right, then we should do everything we can just to protect her.

“You’re happy, huh?” Kira said, which snapped me out of my trance.

I furrowed my brow. “What are you talking about again?”

Hiro came closer and tapped my shoulder. “Just in case you don’t know, you’re smiling.”

“Yeah, which is very rare to happen,” Vince added, wiggling his eyebrows.

I stood up in annoyance and left them. It seemed that since I had been gone for a long time, they decided to target me again. I’ll just wait for the two princesses to return in the living room.

But before I walked out, I heard them laugh.

“The prince is really back!”