𝑴𝒂𝒈𝒊𝒄𝒂𝒍 𝑨𝒄𝒂𝒅𝒆𝒎𝒚: The Lost Princess Of Solaria

Chapter 5: Shadow of Deception

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Chapter 5: Shadow of Deception

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Shauntle stood frozen in shock as a voice echoed through the stillness around her.

The man grinned devilishly, his eyes gleaming with an unsettling intensity.

"H-how do you know my name?" she stammered, stepping back instinctively, but he seized her hand and whisked her away to the depths of Magical Academy's enchanted forest.

Shauntle found herself surrounded by towering trees, her heart pounding with fear and confusion.

"What do you want?" she demanded, attempting to gather her wits as he scrutinized her with piercing eyes that seemed to unravel her soul. Shauntle felt her cheeks flush with embarrassment.

"Why are you blushing?" he inquired coolly, his gaze unyielding.

In a moment of panic, Shauntle instinctively kicked him, causing him to curse in pain.

"Oh, I'm so sorry! I didn't mean to—" she began, rushing to help him up, but they both stumbled, leaving him on top of her. Shauntle's eyes widened in shock at their unexpected position.

Summoning her courage, Shauntle pushed him away forcefully. Before she could flee, he caught her again.

"Don't you dare run from what you've done," he whispered, his voice sending chills down her spine, rendering her motionless.

"I can't let you escape. There must be consequences," he declared ominously, his words sending a shiver of fear through her.

"Please, let me go! I don't have anything to give," Shauntle pleaded, desperate for freedom as he stood over her, a sinister grin twisting his features.

"I am not interested in your wealth. However, Shauntle Misty, I am a Crown Prince, and while you may not be of noble birth, you are certainly no match for me," he taunted callously, causing Shauntle to recoil in disbelief. In response, she kicked him again and fled, determined to put as much distance as possible between her and the arrogant prince.

Lost in the labyrinthine pathways of the forest, Shauntle helped her by guiding her back to the Academy, where she hurriedly locked herself in her dorm room.

"It's a matter of life and death," she muttered, sinking to the floor in exhaustion. She glanced at her reflection and wondered, "Am I truly that unattractive?" Removing her glasses and loosening her hair, she wiped away tears that had begun to fall.

Collapsing onto her bed, Shauntle contemplated the events of the day. "Who was that man? Why can't I get him out of my head?" she pondered aloud, unsure whether her feelings were born of love or hatred.

——

Sky's Dormitory

"Fvck! Damn it! That girl will pay dearly," Sky seethed, frustration etched across his face as he sat on the couch in his dormitory.

"Who are you planning to kill, bro?" Brandon asked casually, sipping tea as he lounged nearby.

"Some foolish girl," Sky replied tersely, his mind consumed by thoughts of vengeance.

"Ah, I see. And who might that be?" Brandon inquired, genuinely curious. Sky shot him a glare that silenced further questions.

"Seriously, bro? Did someone actually stand up to you? The mighty Dark Sky defeated by a girl! HAHAHAHAHA!" Brandon laughed, earning himself a blast of dark energy from Sky.

"She will face the consequences, and no one can stop me. She will regret crossing paths with me," Sky declared darkly, his determination evident.

——

Cindy Winston's POV

Trusting others had never been easy for me. Here I was again, tears streaming down my face, wishing for someone to comfort me.

Comfort... Where is Kyle?

I whistled, and my pet rabbit, Ruru, appeared, but Kyle was nowhere to be seen.

"I need you to find the others," I told Ruru, my voice tinged with worry. Where could Kyle have gone?

He had been absent all day, the only one who could soothe my troubled heart.

"I didn't realize until now that he's gone," I admitted to myself, feeling a pang of loneliness.

"Kyle, where are you? You're the only one who comforts me," I whispered, tears continuing to flow unchecked.

In a life filled with pain, I, a princess, felt like nobody. In the darkness that enveloped me, someone had once brought light.

"Princess Cindy of Avendelle," someone called, interrupting my thoughts. It was Raven.

"Raven, no need for formality," I said softly, but he remained serious, sensing my distress.

"Cindy, what's troubling you?" he asked, sitting beside me and gently stroking my back, offering solace I desperately needed. Unable to hold back any longer, I burst into tears.

"I have lived with so much pain," I confessed, feeling the comforting embrace of the other princesses: Flora, Flame, Musa, and Aisha.

"Hey, Cindy, what's wrong? We were worried when Ruru came running. What happened?" Musa asked, concern etched on her face.

I faced them, wiping away tears, and Flora spoke up, sensing something amiss. "Did you sense it too?" When Aisha nodded, we all looked to her for answers.

"I couldn't find him either, but it seems like they're in their dormitory. They won't let anyone in. It's strange that the pixies keep visiting them. Could they have become close?" Aisha speculated.

Something was indeed amiss.

Raven, the only male presence among us, spoke up, "I apologize, princesses. I share a dorm with Steven; I know nothing of the others."

Could he read our minds?

"Raven, investigate this. Something isn't right," Flora commanded firmly, her authority reassuring.

"We must act as though everything is normal. Cindy, keep this to yourself. I have reservations about our new headmistress. Please be cautious, Cindy. I know you're summoned often. Please, be careful. Let us know what happens there. We will protect you," Flora said, placing a comforting hand on my shoulder before embracing me and stepping away abruptly.

"We must remain vigilant. Sometimes, hiding, running, fighting, and finding light are the only ways to survive in this darkness," she declared solemnly.

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-Alicht04

Who is Flora? She's Florallyn. It's her nickname.