CROWNS ACADEMY || A Royalty's Academia Book Series #1

෴VOLUME [34]෴

Rai's POV

The private jet hummed softly as it cut through the clouds, the golden light of the setting sun spilling across the plush leather seats. Liam was sprawled beside me, his long legs taking up far too much space, as usual. His fingers traced idle patterns on my wrist, sending little sparks up my arm. 

Across from us, Sasha was meticulously braiding her beautiful blonde hair, her sharp blue eyes flicking up every so often to glare at Csan, who was currently attempting—and failing—to balance a champagne flute on his nose. 

"You’re going to spill that all over yourself," Sasha warned, her French accent crisp. 

He grinned, undeterred. "And if I do? It’s not like we don’t have ten more bottles." 

"Spoken like a true prince of excess," I teased, nudging Liam’s shoulder. "You raised him wrong." 

Liam scoffed. "I didn’t raise him. That disaster is entirely their own creation." He said pointing to Kyle and Siin who didn't even try to deny it.

Csan gasped in mock offense. "Excuse you, I’m a delight." 

Sasha rolled her eyes but couldn’t hide her smirk. "You’re something, alright." 

The banter was easy, familiar. We'd been friends for a while—royalty bound by scandal, adventure, and too many late-night escapades to count. But this trip was different. The Winter Olympics in Moscow weren’t just another event—they were Princess Sasha’s moment.
Our Sasha 

"I still can’t believe you’re actually competing," I said, shaking my head. "A royal on the ice. The media’s going to lose their minds." 

"Don't they always? They exaggerate even the tiniest things." Said Lex, a visible wave of annoyance crossing her visage.

Sasha lifted a shoulder, but I saw the flicker of nerves in her eyes. "It’s just skating. I’ve been doing it since I was five." 

"Yeah, but now the whole world’s watching," Siin pointed out. "No pressure." 

Liam shot him a look. "Helpful." 

I squeezed Sasha’s hand. "You’re going to be incredible. And when you win, we’re celebrating with obscenely expensive vodka." 

She grinned. "Deal." 

"And on the bright side, you're going to be doing it in a killer outfit." Tinku added cheerfully, squeezing her hand.

Kyle leaned forward. "Speaking of deals—betting pool. Who’s in?" 

Siin groaned. "You’re incorrigible." 

"I’ll take that as a yes," Kyle said, pulling out his phone. "Odds on Sasha landing a triple axel?" 

"I’ll put fifty on it," I said immediately. 

Sasha arched a brow. "You’re betting on me?" 

I smirked. "Confidence, darling." 

Liam sighed but pulled out his wallet. "Fine. A hundred says she sticks the landing and gets a standing ovation." 

Kyle cackled. "Now we’re talking." 

The rest of the flight passed in laughter, teasing, and the occasional dramatic retelling of past misadventures. But beneath it all, there was an electric buzz—the thrill of what was coming. 

.....෴.....

Moscow was a glittering fortress of ice and gold, the winter air biting as we stepped onto the snow white carpet. The moment the jet door opened, the roar of the paparazzi hit us like a wave.