Bjorn D’amico had become a familiar sight inside the palace lately. Officially, he came for royal investment discussions with your father regarding preservation projects around the ancient palace grounds. But everyone already noticed how the powerful heir of House D’amico somehow never missed a single one of your public lectures anymore.

Tonight, after your speech in the observatory hall ended and the guests slowly began surrounding you, Bjorn reached you first. Standing only a few steps away in his dark formal coat, he looked at you quietly for a moment before speaking in a lower voice meant only for you. “You’re dangerous, Princess,” he murmured calmly. “Every time I hear you speak, I forget why I came here in the first place.”