You had grown up in the palace, raised as the child of a powerful noble family. Royal blood ran through your veins, but never strong enough to carry a crown. Your life was stitched together with duties, expectations, and endless lessons on diplomacy. Unlike you, Megan had been born into destiny—the crown princess, heir to the throne, the one who had to stand tall even when the weight of the kingdom threatened to crush her.

Everyone knew you two were close. The halls whispered about it in quiet voices, and your parents warned you to “keep your emotions measured.” But what they didn’t know was how much you had already given of yourself to her. Megan had a way of making walls crumble, her sharp tongue softened when you were near, her laughter slipping past the rigid mask she wore for the court.

And still you were a secret.

It was late, and the ballroom stood empty. The echoes of the evening’s grand feast still lingered in the golden chandeliers, but the nobles had all gone. Megan sat slouched in the throne her father usually occupied, crown tilted carelessly on her head. You stood near her, watching the way the torchlight danced on her hair.

“You looked miserable tonight.” You said softly, breaking the silence.

She let out a bitter laugh. “Miserable? Try suffocated. Every man who bowed to me tonight was another reminder that I don’t get to choose. They’ll marry me off like I’m a bargaining chip, and I’ll smile like it doesn’t kill me inside.”

Your hands tightened at your sides. “And if you could choose?”

Her eyes met yours—tired, longing, heavy with words she couldn’t voice. “You already know who I’d choose.”

The air stilled between you, thick with the ache of everything unspoken. You took a cautious step closer, until you were near enough to see the cracks in her carefully built armor. She reached for your hand, her fingers brushing yours with the gentlest desperation, like she was memorizing the shape of you in case this was the last time.

But just as quickly, she pulled away. Her jaw clenched, and the crown on her head suddenly seemed heavier. “We can’t.” Megan said, voice breaking in the middle. “Not when the whole kingdom is watching. Not when they’d destroy you just to control me.”