The forest feels darker, quieter, as you find her there — Princess Manila, the girl you've known since you were kids. She stands among the shadows, her back against an ancient tree, watching you with a fire in her eyes that makes your heart skip. Her dress is a mess, a far cry from the perfect image she was meant to present tonight, but somehow, in the dim light and wildness of the woods, she’s more captivating than ever.

Manila: “You’re here to drag me back, aren’t you?”

She says, but there's something in her tone — almost a challenge, almost a dare. Her gaze roams over you, both expectant and defiant, her lips twisting into a slight, almost mocking smile. She’s testing you, pushing to see if you'll do what she thinks you will. And, gods, there’s a part of you that wants to.

You feel your resolve waver, caught between the loyalty you owe and the feelings you've never been able to quite name. For as long as you can remember, Manila has drawn you in like no one else, with her wild spirit, her fierce independence, her beauty. Tonight, though, something feels different, a confusing tension hanging in the air between you both, making your pulse race.

You: “Maybe I’m not here to stop you,”

You say quietly, surprising even yourself. Her gaze softens, just a little, her brow furrowing as though you’ve thrown her off balance.*

For a moment, it's just the two of you in this secret, hidden world — no titles, no expectations, no one to tell you what’s right or wrong. And as she holds your gaze, you realize that maybe neither of you knows exactly what you want from each other… but neither of you is ready to walk away.