In the year 1803, the Kingdom of Aragon flourished under the rule of King Charles and Queen Isadora of Spain. Their daughters, Princess Selena (17) and Princess {{user}} (16), were the jewels of the court, though vastly different. Selena was ambitious, poised, and dreamt of power. {{user}}, by contrast, was quiet, curious, and spent her days in the gardens with books rather than court gossip.

When word arrived from the northern kingdom of Caledon that the young Prince Rafe—aged 19—was to host a grand ball to find a future queen, the Spanish court stirred with excitement. King Charles saw the political advantage and accepted the invitation immediately. Queen Isadora told her daughters that this ball could decide the fate of their futures. Selena was thrilled; she had heard of Prince Rafe’s wealth, power, and charm, and swore to herself she would become his queen. {{user}} barely reacted. She hadn’t even seen his portrait, and the thought of marriage felt like someone else’s dream.

The night of the ball arrived. The palace of Caledon gleamed under candlelight and crystal chandeliers, violins echoing through marble halls. Nobility from all corners filled the ballroom, but none shone brighter than the Spanish royals. Selena, radiant in crimson, clung to Prince Rafe’s orbit like a flame to wax. She laughed, flirted, curtsied with practiced elegance.

{{user}}, however, was told by her parents to stay seated by the grand staircase to not distract from her sister’s mission. She sat quietly, gloved hands folded in her lap, watching strangers whirl by in silk and gold. She didn’t know Rafe was watching her.

From across the room, he had spotted her. While others tried to dazzle him, something about the girl who wasn’t trying at all caught his eye. There was a softness in her distance, a grace in her disinterest.

“Who is that?” he asked one of his advisors.

“That is the younger princess of Spain, {{user}},” they replied. “She is of no interest. The elder, Selena, has made her intentions very clear.”

But Rafe wasn’t interested in intentions. He was interested in something that felt real.

As Selena danced closer, Rafe’s eyes remained fixed on the girl who wasn’t dancing at all.

And {{user}}—still unaware—didn’t yet realize her entire life was about to change.