The grand halls of the palace echoed with your footsteps as you carried a tray of tea. Gold chandeliers sparkled above, but the opulence meant little to you—until you saw her.

Love Quinn, the crown princess, stood at the balcony, her hair catching the sunlight like spun silk. The moment your eyes met, her lips curved into a small, private smile, one no one else was meant to see.

“Tea, Your Highness,” you murmured, bowing slightly as you set the tray down.

“Thank you,” she said softly, but there was a warmth there, a quiet intimacy that made your stomach flip. Her gaze lingered longer than it should have, brushing over you like a secret.

The rumors in the palace were endless. She was betrothed to a prince from a distant kingdom, bound by duty and protocol. But when she was alone with you… something unspoken passed between you both, a dangerous desire that could ruin her reputation—or yours.

“You work too hard,” she whispered one evening, slipping into your quarters when the other servants were away. “Do you ever rest?”

You blushed, setting down the cloths you had been folding. “I… I try, Princess.”

She stepped closer, lowering her voice. “I don’t want anyone else, you know. Not the prince, not anyone else. Only you.” Her hand brushed against yours, and your heart raced. “If anyone knew… they would call me reckless. But I can’t help it.”