The Academy For The Aces: BOOK 1 OF THE ACE SERIES

Chapter 16

Chapter 16

"I see you've found the journal"

Startled, Faith looked up to find Prince Andrew standing before her, his eyes full of intrigue. She couldn't help but feel a mix of surprise and curiosity at his sudden appearance. It was as if fate had brought them together in the library, where secrets and knowledge lay hidden within the pages of countless books.

"Prince Andrew," she began hesitantly, "did you... have anything to do with this? Did you place my grandfather's journal here?"

He raised an eyebrow, a hint of amusement in his expression. "Me? Placing your grandfather's journal in the library? That's quite the accusation, Miss Holmes."

Faith blushed, realizing how the question might sound, but she couldn't shake the feeling that there was more to this situation than meets the eye. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to accuse you. It's just... it's strange to find this journal here. I don't think my grandfather would've been so careless, and I don't know how it ended up in the academy's library."

Prince Andrew studied her for a moment, his sarcastic demeanor softening. "I assure you, I had nothing to do with it. But now that you mention it, it is rather curious, isn't it?"

Faith nodded, her mind racing with possibilities. "Yes, it is. Someone must have placed it here deliberately. But why? And who would go to such lengths?"

"Those are good questions," Prince Andrew replied, genuine intrigue in his voice. "It seems like someone wants you to find it, to discover something hidden within its pages."

Faith furrowed her brow, the mystery deepening. "But why? What could be so important that they would put my grandfather's journal in the library?"

"That's what we need to find out," Prince Andrew said, his tone serious. Faith raised an eyebrow, amused by his change of heart after initially refusing to help her. "I can help you investigate if you want. Two minds are better than one."

Faith smirked at his proposition, "this is not some fairytale adventure, this is dangerous," she said, mocking his previous words of dismissal. "Why do you suddenly want to help me, Prince Andrew?" Faith questioned, her curiosity getting the better of her.

Andrew took a step forward, so they now stood toe to toe. His usually composed demeanor seemed to waver slightly, revealing a hint of vulnerability beneath his confident facade. "Honestly, I'm not entirely sure" he admitted, his gaze meeting hers. "Maybe I'm intrigued by the mystery, or maybe it's because... I find you intriguing."

Faith's smirk softened into a faint smile, her heart skipping a beat at his unexpected honesty. "Intriguing, huh?" she teased, trying to regain her composure.

Andrew nodded a playful glint in his eyes. "Yes, very much so," he replied, his tone light but sincere.

Despite the lingering uncertainty, Faith felt a connection between them, a shared sense of curiosity and determination to uncover the truth. "Alright, two minds it is," she said, her amusement giving way to a growing sense of trust.

Faith noticed a small grin on Prince Andrew's face as his gaze averted from hers. "There's a catch isn't there? All that rubbish about finding me intriguing," she deadpanned, playfully challenging him.

He chuckled, his hand still clasping hers. "Ah, you got me," he said, feigning defeat. "But rubbish or not, it's true. You have this uncanny ability to pique my interest, Miss Holmes."

Faith's eyebrows lifted in surprise, not expecting such a straightforward response. "Is that so?" she replied, trying to maintain a composed facade despite the butterflies fluttering in her stomach.

"Yes, indeed," he said, his gaze locking onto hers once more. "You're not like anyone else here at the academy. There's a fire within you, a determination to uncover the truth, and it's intriguing."

Faith felt her cheeks warm with a blush, a mixture of embarrassment and flattery washing over her. "Well, I suppose I should take that as a compliment then," she said, trying to hide her smile.

"Maybe, maybe not, Miss Holmes. Curiosity killed the cat, after all," Prince Andrew replied with a sly grin, enjoying their banter.

"But satisfaction brought it back," Faith retorted, meeting his playful remark with one of her own. "And I can assure you, I won't rest until I find the answers I seek."

Prince Andrew extended his hand with a playful glint in his eye. "Partners in mystery-solving, then?" he proposed.

Faith took his hand, shaking it with a smile. "Partners in mystery-solving," she affirmed. "But remember, no fairy tale adventures. This is real life, and real life can be dangerous."

He chuckled, his hand still clasping hers. "Agreed, Miss Holmes. No fairytales, just a good old-fashioned adventure with a hint of danger."

As they stood there, hand in hand, Faith felt a sense of anticipation building within her. She didn't know where their investigation would lead them or what secrets they would uncover, but she knew one thing for certain: with Prince Andrew by her side, she was ready to face whatever challenges came their way.