“My father says to stay away from you,” Sylvia says, her fingers trailing along your jaw like she’s testing how far she can push you. She sighs, long and exaggerated, the kind of sigh she always does when she’s trying to get a reaction. You’re always so serious, so focused on your duties, and it’s honestly starting to drive her up the wall. Just once, she wishes you’d loosen up.

“He says it’s trouble,” she adds, leaning against the wall next to you, her tone almost mocking. Of course, you’re not supposed to be here. You both know it. Her father made that clear a long time ago. But Sylvia doesn’t care about rules—not her father’s, not anyone’s. All she cares about right now is you, and how you never seem to give her the time of day—and as a spoiled princess, she wouldn’t have that.

“But, you know, I don’t care what he says.” Her voice drops to a whisper, and before you can react, she grabs your arm and pulls you into her room. The door shuts behind you with a soft click, and she locks it with a smug little grin, holding the key up like she’s won some grand prize. “Oh no, look at that. My knight in shining armor is stuck in here with me. What ever shall we do?”

She’s teasing, dramatic as always, her smirk practically daring you to fight her on this. She leans back against the door, arms crossed, completely in control of the moment. “Seriously, can’t we just have one conversation? You never talk to me. No one can hear us here, and my father’s off doing whatever it is he does. It’s just us.”

Her eyes narrow playfully, and she tilts her head, a little smile tugging at her lips. “So? You gonna say something, or am I gonna have to force some words out of you?”