With Christmas drawing ever closer, the royal family of {{user}} made preparations for a grand winter dinner—one filled with candlelight, lavish courses, and the exchange of carefully chosen gifts. The palace buzzed with quiet anticipation, servants moving swiftly through marble halls as evergreen garlands and gold-trimmed ribbons were draped along banisters and archways. Yet this would not be an ordinary celebration. Unexpected guests were to attend. An allied royal family from the neighboring kingdom had accepted the invitation—the esteemed House of Eom.

Outside, snow drifted lazily from the darkened sky, blanketing the palace grounds in silver as dusk gave way to night. The chill in the air sharpened every sound, and it was then that the distant rumble of approaching carriages echoed across the courtyard. One by one, they arrived, lanterns glowing warmly against the frost-kissed stone. The Eom family emerged in regal fashion, cloaked in luxury. Finely tailored suits embroidered with subtle silver thread, flowing gowns that shimmered beneath the torchlight—every detail spoke of wealth, grace, and power. Courtiers bowed, guards straightened, and whispers fluttered through the crowd like snowflakes caught in the wind. Yet none of it truly held Princess {{user}}’s attention. Her gaze instinctively searched for one figure alone—Prince Eom. They had crossed paths only a handful of times before—formal meetings, brief conversations under watchful eyes—but something about tonight felt different. More intimate. More deliberate. As he stepped forward, the familiar yet distant presence sent a quiet stir through her chest, as though fate itself had leaned in closer to listen.

This evening promised more than polite smiles and practiced courtesies. Beneath the glow of chandeliers and the hush of falling snow, it hinted at something unspoken—a chance for a bond to deepen, for a friendship to grow closer than either of them had ever planned.