~ {|} The Royal Charm Academy {|} ~ A Novel ~ {|} On Going

❦ Chapter Twenty-Two ❦

Thea slowly closed the door behind her, pleased to see the Dean was too busy arguing with someone on the other end of the phone to notice she had snuck in and replaced the key.

She slowly let out her breath she had been holding in and pushed off the door. 'I've never been this scared since that one time Mia and I snuck into Mom's room to play dress up with her expensive outfits when she was away.' She thought to herself, collecting herself and walked down the hallway as if nothing had happened.

‘I should probably use my personal laptop to get more information about the scholarship winners before I hand it over to Raquelle. I also need to get into the boys' dorm, but for that, I'll need help . . . Maybe I can get Prince Kayne to help. He does owe me a favor after I helped him at the debutante ball four years ago. I knew waiting for an opportunity to cash in the favor would eventually work in my favor.’

‘I don't want to get Darius caught up in my scheme, it's clear he isn't fond of Dree and I am acting like her, in the sense I'm getting my hands dirty and destroying some lives. It may be wrong, but sometimes you gotta do what you gotta do, and getting rid of the scholarship winners is what I gotta do.’

‘Although, I should be extremely careful. I don't want to use my mom too much because even though she's Regent and a teacher, she would get into some trouble for using the academy's commodities for personal use, and I wouldn't want to cause her any trouble.’ 

‘I do have to keep Dree in check, though, especially since I don't trust her not to be more presumptuous in getting rid of the scholarship winners. The number of times she's gotten into trouble over it, you'd think she'd learn, but of course not, she never does. I need to talk with her again, heart to heart, get her to pinky swear she won't do anything against them.’ She thought to herself as she crossed one arm over her chest, then rested her other elbow on top of it and tapped her cheek.

"Thea? Thea Messing! Oh, thank goodness, I've been looking all over for you!" The relieved voice came from a tall young woman, a couple years older than Thea with dark black hair pulled back neatly in a low ponytail, curtain bangs touching the corner of her honey brown eyes and a small beauty mark under her left eye.

“Hmm?” Thea turned her attention towards the young woman and immediately recognized her, her eyes growing wide. "Oh, Tai? Tai Nikaido? What are you doing? I thought you were off on vacation?" She greeted, approaching with her arms crossed.

"I was on holiday, but I happened to cut it short. With you becoming Crown Princess at the end of the year, I shouldn't dilly dally and spend my time doing frivolous things." Tai explained, tapping her fingers on a heavy binder with a clipboard on top. "After all, my mom would not be pleased to hear how it has been spending my time."

Thea listened attentively, nodding her head along. "I suppose it is a good thing, Mrs. Nikaido doesn't have social media because you've been posting like a chronically online teenager." She teased, a cheeky smile growing on her lips.

Tai rolled her eyes while shaking her head lightly. "I can't help it. The beauty of the Golden Sands Resort in Plageavilly is indescribable. The sunsets are to die for, oh, what I'd give to see them every dusk." She sighed dreamily, resting her hand on her cheek.

Thea nodded her head along as she listened to her. "In speaking of Plageavilly, I hear that next year, their eldest princess will be attending this academy. I don't think she'll enjoy Senoia winters, considering her kingdom is hot and sunny almost all year around, but it only lasts for three months, four if it's a bad winter."

Tai shuddered at the memory of the winters of Senoia. They were not her forte in the slightest. "I'm still not used to Senoia winters, and I've lived here all my life. I may be one of those people who can't tolerate the cold weather. You know very well anything below 70° degrees, I got to wear a sweater."