Aurelina stood at the window, gazing out over the sprawling city of Lagos as the sun dipped below the horizon. The vibrant hues of the evening sky mirrored the tumultuous emotions she had long buried complicated, unsettling, yet strangely beautiful. Royal Heights High was behind her now, the echoes of her reign fading into the past. The once unshakable throne she had held was now nothing more than a distant memory, replaced by a new chapter, one she hadn’t expected.

In her hand, she held a letter. A simple envelope, addressed to her with neat handwriting Zhiyong Nden Balami.

The last few months had been nothing short of a whirlwind. What had begun as a battle for control between them had evolved into something entirely unexpected. Something real.

She had spent years maintaining control over herself, her world, her image. But with Zhiyong, the walls she had built around her heart had begun to crumble. He had challenged her, pushed her, and made her confront the parts of herself she had long buried in favor of power. He had shown her that there was more to life than status, more than the endless pursuit of dominance.

And she had shown him that sometimes, vulnerability wasn’t weakness it was strength.

Aurelina’s thoughts drifted back to the last day at Royal Heights High, the day the final bell rang, signaling the end of a chapter . She had stood before her friends and peers, the same ones who had once rallied around her, as she bid them farewell. The competition between Royal Heights High and Crystal Gem Academy was no more. What remained was a new sense of camaraderie, a shared experience that transcended school rivalry.

But it was her moment with Zhiyong that stood out the most.

As she stood by the gate, the cool breeze brushing against her face, he approached her. He had no words, only a quiet gaze that spoke volumes. And in that brief exchange, something unspoken passed between them. She hadn’t needed grand declarations. In that moment, she knew he understood her in ways no one else did. And she, for the first time, felt something other than control—a deep, knowing connection.

"Goodbye, Aurelina," he had said softly, his voice steady, but the weight of it hung in the air. "I’m leaving, but this isn’t the end."

She nodded, her own words caught in her throat. A part of her had wanted to say something anything but she knew that this was their story now, a story that could not be confined to simple goodbyes.

And then, with a brief kiss a simple, unexpected kiss that had sealed their unspoken promise. A kiss that told her more than words ever could.

***

The letter in her hand rustled as she unfolded it. Inside, there were just a few words, but they were enough.

"I’ll see you soon. Don’t forget me."

Aurelina smiled, the weight of the letter suddenly feeling lighter. Maybe it wasn’t the end, after all.

As the night grew darker, the city lights twinkling below, Aurelina placed the letter down, her gaze shifting toward the future. It was unclear where her story would take her next, but one thing was certain—she wasn’t the same girl who had ruled Royal Heights High. She had learned something in her time with Zhiyong, something that could never be unlearned.

She had learned that power was not just about being untouchable. True strength came from allowing oneself to be touched by others, by life, by love.

And though the future was uncertain, Aurelina was no longer afraid. Whatever came next, she knew she was ready.

THE END... for now.

A/N 
Hi Royals! 👑

We’ve officially come to the end of When Royals Clash, and what a journey it’s been! Thank you for sticking with Aurelina, Zhiyong, and the world of Royal Heights and Crystal Gem Academy. Your love, support, and reactions have meant everything to me.

Stay tuned I’ll be dropping updates and surprises on my message board, so don’t go too far💌!

But now, I need your opinion…

📚 Should I write a sequel where all the characters return as adults, facing a new world with grown-up drama, romance, rivalries, and secrets?

Or...

📖 Should I start a brand new book with fresh faces but still set in the same universe you love?

Let me know what you think in the comments!
And again, from the bottom of my heart—thank you for being part of this story. 💕👑

Love,
Eniola Praise Oladejo