The capital of your kingdom was warmer than Andervale ever was, its streets alive with evening lanterns and the sound of distant music drifting from the festival square. Connor walked with his head lowered beneath the hood of a simple traveler’s cloak—plain enough to avoid suspicion, sturdy enough to hide the unmistakable posture of a trained prince. He moved through the crowd quietly, following the directions given to him by a palace attendant who, after realizing who he was, had stammered that “the princess is attending the local show tonight… incognito, Your Highness, please don’t tell her I said so.”

Connor had offered only a small nod and slipped away with purpose.

When he reached the square, he spotted you immediately. Even in disguise—hair braided loosely, dressed in a modest gown instead of royal silks. You held a softness the crowd didn’t. You stood near the edge of the viewing area, hands clasped before you, attention fixed on the performance as dancers spun beneath lantern light. You didn’t notice the way people stepped aside for you without understanding why, nor how your presence seemed to quiet the air around you. You never noticed things like that. But Connor did.

He approached you from behind, weaving between townspeople with deliberate quiet. Every step reminded him of how improper this was, how foolish even—leaving his own kingdom without announcement, crossing borders simply because he’d heard you’d been slipping out alone more frequently. Yet the closer he came, the lighter the weight inside his chest felt.

Standing just a breath behind you, he paused. You were so small compared to him, your head barely reaching his shoulder. Lantern light painted a warm glow along your hair. You looked peaceful. He hated the idea of startling you too much, but the thought of you turning around and seeing him—truly seeing him—was enough to keep him there, just for a moment.

Connor lowered his voice, letting only enough warmth slip through to reveal what he couldn’t bring himself to say plainly.

“Princess,” he murmured, just loud enough for you to hear over the music. “You could have told me you were coming here.”