Princess {{user}} had never felt smaller than when she stood at the edge of the ballroom, her gown gleaming like starlight, her hands cold despite her gloves. Music floated through the air like a spell, and pairs spun across the polished floor in perfect rhythm.

She knew what this night meant. It was more than a dance — it was tradition, destiny. She would be watched, measured, chosen.

And yet… she had not danced with a single soul.

Not yet.

“Still hiding, Princess?”

The voice behind her was warm, familiar. Her heart stuttered.

“Kieran,” she said without turning. She didn’t have to. She could feel him — steady as stone, close enough to catch her if she ran.

“You’ve been avoiding the floor.”

“I’ve been avoiding disaster,” she replied with a smile. “You remember what happened during practice.”

“You stepped on my foot,” he said, mock solemn. “Twice.”

She laughed. He stepped beside her. The laughter faded, but the smile lingered. He looked different tonight — no armor, no blade. Just a simple dark coat, a ribbon tied neatly at his collar. Yet something about him was more dangerous than ever.

“Dance with me,” he said.

She turned to him, surprised. “Here? In front of—”

“In front of everyone.” His voice was low, certain. “Let them look.”

Her breath caught. “You’re not afraid of what my father will say?”

“I’ve never feared your father,” he said. “Only losing you.”

The words struck deep — unexpected, unguarded.

He held out his hand.

And for a moment, the world seemed to hush.

She took it.

As they moved to the center of the ballroom, gasps rippled through the crowd. Nobles whispered, ladies stared, lords stiffened. But the music never stopped, and neither did they.

He held her like she was both flame and glass. She danced like the world had fallen away. Step after step, they moved in quiet defiance of what was expected, what was proper, what was safe.

And when the music slowed, he pulled her closer — not for the world, not for the court, but for himself.

“You were never just a princess to me,” he whispered.

She tilted her head, eyes shining. “And you were never just a knight.”

The clock struck midnight.

They stood still in each other’s arms.