Chapter 18
A week passed after Ryan's public appearance shook the business world.
The media still talked about the mysterious young billionaire who had suddenly stepped into the spotlight, but for Ryan himself life slowly began returning to normal.
At least as normal as it could be.
He still attended school with Rachel, Mia, Raj and Chandler. The attention from other students had increased dramatically, but Ryan ignored most of it.
For him, the most important moments were still the quiet ones.
Walking to class with Rachel.
Studying together with Mia.
Spending time with friends after school.
Those small moments were what kept his life balanced.
But one afternoon, something happened that would change Mia's life completely.
---
A long black limousine stopped outside Mia's house.
The vehicle looked expensive and out of place in the quiet neighborhood.
Several well-dressed men stepped out first, clearly security guards. After them, an elderly woman exited the car with elegant posture and calm authority.
Her silver hair was perfectly styled, and the way she carried herself made it obvious that she was someone important.
Inside the house, Mia opened the door when the bell rang.
The moment she saw the woman standing outside, she froze.
The woman studied Mia carefully.
For a moment, her expression showed genuine surprise.
She had expected an awkward and shy girl.
Instead she saw someone who had clearly grown into herself.
Mia still looked nervous, but there was confidence in her eyes.
The elderly woman smiled slightly.
"Mia Thermopolis," she said.
"My name is Clarisse Renaldi."
"I am the Queen of Genovia."
Mia blinked in confusion.
"I think you have the wrong house."
Clarisse shook her head gently.
"No, Amelia. I do not."
Then she said the words that would change Mia's life.
"I am your grandmother."
The room went completely silent.
Mia stared at her.
"My… grandmother?"
Clarisse nodded.
"Yes."
"And you are the Princess of Genovia."
Mia's brain seemed to completely stop working.
Rachel, Ryan and Mia's mother Helen were all in the living room now, watching the scene unfold.
Mia looked at Ryan in complete disbelief.
"Please tell me this is some kind of joke."
Ryan sighed quietly.
"No… it's real."
Mia dropped onto the couch.
"Okay," she muttered weakly.
"I think I just broke my brain."
---
Clarisse began explaining everything about Genovia.
About Mia's father.
About the royal family.
About how Mia was now the last heir to the throne.
Mia listened in stunned silence.
But Ryan knew that if things continued like this, there would be even bigger shocks waiting.
Because Mia becoming a princess was only part of the truth.
He looked around the room.
At Mia.
At Rachel.
At his parents.
At Queen Clarisse.
It was time.
"There's something all of you should know," Ryan said.
Everyone turned toward him.
Ryan took a slow breath.
"For the past few years… something strange has been part of my life."
Rachel already knew what was coming, but the others waited quietly.
Ryan continued.
"A system."
Mia blinked.
"A… what?"
Ryan calmly explained.
A mysterious system had appeared in his life years ago.
Only he could see it.
The system allowed him to travel between different worlds.
Worlds that resembled stories, movies and fictional universes.
At first, the room was silent.
Ryan's parents stared at him.
Helen looked confused.
Mia looked like she was trying to decide if she should laugh or panic.
Rachel finally spoke.
"He's telling the truth," she said calmly.
Mia turned toward her.
"You knew about this?"
Rachel nodded.
"He told me a while ago."
Ryan's father leaned back slowly.
"So… let me understand this."
"You're saying there are multiple worlds… and you can travel between them?"
Ryan nodded.
"Yes."
Queen Clarisse had been watching quietly during the entire explanation.
Unlike the others, she did not react with disbelief.
Instead she seemed thoughtful.
Finally she spoke.
"If what you are saying is true… then the world is far more complicated than we believed."
Ryan nodded.
"That's exactly the problem."
Mia leaned back on the couch, staring at the ceiling.
"So let me get this straight," she said slowly.
"I'm a princess…"
"And my boyfriend can travel between worlds."
Rachel laughed.
"When you say it like that, it sounds ridiculous."
Mia closed her eyes.
"I need a moment."
Even Queen Clarisse allowed herself a small smile.
Because despite the impossible things they had just learned, one thing was clear.
Their lives had just changed forever.
And this was only the beginning.