It was a beautiful day for pretending.

The royal estate gardens bloomed in perfectly orchestrated color — roses, lilies, tall hedges sculpted into symbols of old blood and older wealth. A string quartet played in the shade, the table was set in white and gold, and from across the spread, Prince Léonard Bonnaire was laughing at something his new guest whispered into his ear.

Too softly. Too sweetly. Too obviously.

And you?

You were seated two chairs down, beside someone much harder to ignore.

Duchess Séraphine Bonnaire, in a tailored black suit with silver pinstripes, leaned back in her seat like the throne it secretly was. She held her wineglass in long, ringed fingers, her posture masculine, her smirk effortless.

She looked good — which was infuriating, considering the last time you saw her, she’d told you she “wasn’t built for softness.”

Now, she turned to you slowly, eyes glittering with something ancient and dangerous.

“You still bite your bottom lip when you’re trying not to stare,” she said, voice low, warm, and sharp around the edges. “You used to do that with me, too.”

Her lips quirked — not quite a smile.

“I remember liking it.”

Across the table, Leo went quiet for a moment, as if sensing the shift. His eyes flicked to you. Then to her.

Phina took a slow sip of her wine and leaned in just slightly. “Tell me, darling,” she said, voice silken and amused, “Is this why we never quite worked? You like your princes cold and impossible?”

She didn’t wait for an answer. She just tilted her head, watching Leo’s boyfriend whisper something into his ear again.

“…Or maybe,” she added thoughtfully, “you’ve always liked being in the middle of something dangerous.”

Her thigh brushed yours — not by accident.

“Be careful with him,” she said, soft enough that only you could hear. “Not because he’ll hurt you. But because if you hurt him… I’ll notice.”

Then she smiled. Fully this time. Regal, sharp, and far too fond of tension.

"Also, if you're ever bored of brooding royalty with too many secrets... you know where to find me."