Cassy pov

“I have a huge surprise for you guys!” I exclaimed in my excitement as I rushed to my friend’s side. We were all excited about our graduation. All of us wore our gowns and caps as we gathered in the hall of the academy building.

Ava gave me a knowing smile as Daphne, Maya and Zoe looked at me with curiosity.

“What?” Zoe asked, grinning widely.

“You’ll see,” I giggled. My heart was fluttering in excitement. My parents were invited to the graduation ceremony, and dad had told me that he would be announcing my identity in his speech. I was more than excited. I knew my friends would all be taken by surprise. All except Ava, of course. She had been true to her word when she said that my secret was safe with her. I just hope that they don’t start to act awkward with me and will remain as my friends for life.

I knew I would have to answer their questions, perhaps they would be shocked like Elliot was. All I could do was wait and hope for the best.

The ceremony went smoothly. The graduates were given their certificates and awards and the entire time, my heart was drumming in my chest. I kept wiping my sweaty palms using the handkerchief mom had given me. Never in my life was I this excited at a graduation ceremony.

Finally, it was time for the king’s speech. I inhaled and exhaled deeply, trying to calm my nerves. My stomach churned uneasily when he stood up from his seat and walked casually towards the stage. His royal attire suited him so well. I couldn’t help but admire his demeanour. With the majestic crown placed on his head, he looked indeed like a great king who demanded respect. He had chosen to wear a black coat with a blue belt where his sword was attached.

He stood behind the podium and scanned through the crowd. His face showed no emotions as he looked through the crowd. Nonetheless, when his eyes landed on me, I noticed that he paused for a split second while his lips curved a little in a small smile.

I smiled widely. I knew what he was going to do. I should be ready for him to call me on stage. I glanced at my friends. All of them were eagerly waiting for his speech. I gulped the accumulated saliva as I studied their faces. All of them were going to have a huge surprise.

I kept my fingers crossed, hoping that they wouldn’t be too shocked.

When my father cleared his throat before starting his speech, I took a deep breath and sat straight in my seat. It was hard to remain calm when I was overwhelmed with emotions.

“My people. It is always an honour for me to attend the graduation ceremony of this academy each year. First of all, I would like to congratulate all those who have graduated. I know that most of you have already chosen a career. I wish you all success in your future. Whatever you do, always do it for the right reasons. You have all grown up and completed your transformation. Stay loyal to this kingdom. We need young people in every possible industry. We would be honoured to have newcomers show their talents.” He paused and once again looked around.C0pyright © 2024 Nôv)(elDrama.Org.

“Today is a very important day for all of us. Even for me and the whole royal family. Each year, the day the attendees of this academy graduate is a remarkable day. Anyway, this year, it is even more special for another reason.” He smiled.

My heart was now pounding so fast in my chest, I could feel each of its beats.

“Perhaps some of you have heard about my daughter, who is the same age as you. Your parents would surely know.” He said and glanced at the seats occupied by the parents of the graduates.

I glanced at them. Some of them were nodding in affirmation while others simply smiled at his statement. My friends, except for Ava and the other graduates, seemed to be shocked by the news. Looks like they never heard about my birth.

“It is okay if you didn’t hear about her. She was kidnapped by an enemy on the night she was born,” he explained, earning gasps from the crowd of graduates.

My father raised a hand, indicating for everyone to remain silent.

“She was kidnapped and the story of her birth was forgotten as it was not spoken about.” He sighed.

“How many of you would be eager to know that she is well and alive?” he asked. Everyone raised their hands. Holding back my tears, I also raised mine, because I wanted to blend with the crowd. However, in reality, I was fighting against the tears of happiness that threatened to fill my eyes. My father grinned and gestured for everyone to lower their hands.

“I have found her. She is perfectly fine and now ready to take over the throne.” He said into the microphone.

I chewed on my lips, as I tried my best to ignore the hysteric beats of my frantic heart.

“Please meet my daughter. Princess Carina of the great Lycantthrop kingdom!!!” he announced with much enthusiasm in his voice, as he gestured towards me to go to the stage.

Heaving a deep breath, I stood up.

“Huh?”

“Cass….”

“What?”

Zoe, Maya and Daphne looked at me open-mouthed and wide-eyed in utter shock, while Ava grinned and clapped her hands in excitement.

It took a while for them to snap out of their shocked state and start clapping along with the crowd who were now standing up from their seats one by one. By the time I reached the stage and stood beside my father, the attendees of the ceremony were giving me a standing ovation.

Teary-eyed, I looked at my mother who was gazing at me with pride written all over her face. I saw the faces of my classmates and the teachers who taught and trained us during the year. I can safely say that all of them were shocked beyond words. However, they were excited.

Their broad grins and non-stop clapping while giggling along with their friends could only mean that they were happy to have me with them.

“Dear, address them,” Father whispered in my ear.

Huh? I wasn’t ready for that!

“You are the crown, Princess. Say a few words, honey.” He added, encouraging me to go to the podium. I gulped. He gave me a nod as if he was telling me that I could do it.

Well, I don’t have much of a choice, do I?

I kept a straight face as I strolled to the podium and smiled at the crowd.

“Hello everyone. This year has been the most wonderful year for me. All my life, I have been thinking that I was a human. But finding out who I am was the best thing that had ever happened to me. I am very excited and extremely eager to be a part of this prestigious kingdom. Thank you.”

I stepped away and looked at my father, who gave me a small nod. He took my hand and led me towards the chairs prepared for the royals. The teachers had hastened to add one more chair there so that I could be seated, which I reluctantly accepted.

I would rather sit with my friends. However, being a royal meant I would have to be under full safety. And this announcement would only mean that I wouldn’t be able to mix with the crowd, just like that. Well, I wouldn’t mind as long as I could see my friends at times.

The rest of the ceremony wasn’t eventful and, finally, it was time for everyone to leave.

“Dad. I want to speak to my friends.” I pleaded when they started to leave.

“Sure. Go and speak. We will wait for you,” he said. The crowd had begun to disperse but some of them stayed back. Ava and the others were gathered in a deep conversation which they desperately wanted to be part of. I knew that I would be the topic of that discussion. I just hope that they were okay with it.

“Hey,” I called, making them look at me.

Daphne stared at me open-mouthed. Maya too seemed to freeze. Zoe offered a nervous smile.

“Hey princess!” it was Ava who giggled and spoke.

“Ugh. Don’t call me that.” I chuckled and frowned at the other three. “Guys! It is still me. Snap out of it!”

“You are the crown, Princess!!!! Oh my God!!!!!!”

It was Zoe who managed to speak first among them. Daphne shook her head as if to bring herself back to reality. Maya continued to gape at me.

“Hey!” I shook her hand a little.

“What….am I supposed to salute you now?”

Maya’s response made me chuckle.

“No silly. You guys are my besties.” I scratched the back of my head and bit my lower l*p. “I hope you guys don’t mind. I had to keep my identity a secret for safety reasons.” I offered a nervous chuckle as I spoke.

“No, it is okay. We understand,” Zoe said, and the others nodded in agreement. I sighed in relief and looked at my parents who were patiently waiting for me to go.

“Guys, I’ve got to go. I’ll be very busy during the next couple of weeks since we will be preparing for the coronation ceremony. But do text. I will reply as soon as possible.” I told them.

“Coronation! Oh my God! I can’t believe we are friends with the future queen.” Maya squealed.

I grinned. “You all must attend it,” I winked, making a mental note to make sure I invited all four of my friends.

“No waayyyy!” Daphne squealed as she grabbed my hands and squeezed them in excitement. Maya and Zoe too squealed along with her. Ava remained to grin at their excitement.

“Wait. Did Ava know about this before?” Zoe suddenly asked. “You are way too calm.”

“Yeah….. actually, I’m a hybrid who has the power to foresee. At times I get hints of the future. Not the whole thing but perhaps an important event. That is how I knew.” She shrugged.

“Oh girl, I wish you had told us,” Maya giggled.

“I couldn’t. It was supposed to be a secret, right,” Ava responded.

“Wow. You are good at keeping secrets. And you are a hybrid!” So cool!” Daphne exclaimed.

I looked at my parents. A lot of the attendees had paid their respects and left the building already. We also should leave.

“Guys. I’ve got to go.” I sighed.

“Bye.”

“See ya!”

They bade me goodbye.

“We got to shop for gowns!” I heard Maya exclaim as I walked away. Chuckling, I walked out of the building with my parents. Looks like busy days are ahead. I just hope I do this right.

Although he announced about me at our graduation, he later made an official announcement which was broadcasted to the whole kingdom. Of course, it exposed my presence to everyone, the whole world. Over the next few days, we received several messages congratulating us. To tell the truth, I didn’t know what to feel.

Yes, I was elated to see the overwhelming support. At the same time, I was relatively fearful. I was going to be crowned Queen, and that means I would be carrying a high responsibility on my shoulders.