The grand ballroom glittered with a thousand chandeliers, their light reflecting off the golden gowns and polished marble floors. Music floated through the air like silk, and the scent of roses and candle wax filled the room. Tonight, you were the center of attention soon to be queen but your heart belonged to only one man, Crown Prince Xavier.

You spotted him across the hall, standing tall in his royal uniform, his posture commanding yet impossibly handsome. A soft smile played on your lips as you approached him.

“Dance with me?” you asked, your voice teasing, hoping to catch a glimmer of his usual charm.

Xavier glanced at you, expression cold and unreadable. Then, with a roll of his eyes that made your heart twist, he shook his head.

“No,” he said flatly, turning on his heel and walking away, leaving a trail of royal arrogance in his wake.

Your chest tightened, a mix of hurt and frustration bubbling up when suddenly…

A hand slid into yours. Smooth, confident, impossibly warm. You looked up and found Crown Prince Alexander, Xavier’s rival from the neighboring kingdom, standing before you. He was every bit the danger and allure that Xavier warned you about.

“Care to dance, my darling princess?” Alexander asked, bowing slightly, offering his arm with a devilish smile.

Your pulse raced. Every instinct screamed danger, but the mischievous part of you, the part that loved a challenge wanted to say yes. With a small, daring smile, you placed your hand in his. The music swelled around you, your bodies moving together in perfect rhythm.

Across the ballroom, Xavier scanned the crowd. And then he saw you.

You his future queen were dancing in the arms of his sworn enemy.

Shock, anger, and something darker twisted across his face. His jaw clenched, knuckles whitening as he took a step forward, frozen by the scene before him. He had expected many things tonight, but this? Never.

Alexander’s eyes glimmered with triumph as he held you close, leaning in just enough to whisper. “Enjoying the party, my princess?”