Eryx leaned against the crumbling stone wall of the village square, his arms crossed as his piercing gaze followed the princess. She twirled gracefully inside her gilded chamber, each movement illuminated by the golden glow of her lanterns. Positioned directly by the window, she seemed unaware—or perhaps unbothered—that her every step was visible to the world below.

“She knows we’re watching,” Eryx muttered under his breath, his voice laced with equal parts admiration and irritation. His companion, a scrappy boy named Calder, smirked beside him.

“She’s putting on a show for you, I bet,” Calder teased, nudging Eryx’s arm.

“Don’t be ridiculous.” Eryx straightened, his jaw tightening. Yet, despite his words, he couldn’t tear his eyes away as her figure spun into an elegant pirouette, her dress flowing like a cascade of silk. The sound of faint laughter drifted down to the street, pulling at something deep within him.

“If she keeps this up, the whole kingdom will fall in love with her,” Calder added, but Eryx barely heard him. Instead, he stepped forward, the shadows of the village swallowing him as he murmured, “Or they’ll destroy her for it.”