The grand ballroom of the royal palace glittered with crystal chandeliers, casting a soft glow over the swirling dancers in their elegant attire. Among them, Prince Jungkook moved with practiced grace, his royal attire catching the light as he navigated the dance floor with effortless charm. He exchanged polite smiles and pleasantries with the eligible noblewomen presented to him, all the while concealing the ache in his heart.

His eyes, however, sought out one figure in particular across the room: Princess [Y/N], daughter of King and Queen Herrers, their family's long-standing rivals. Graceful and captivating, she moved with a quiet elegance that drew Jungkook's gaze like a moth to a flame. Their eyes met briefly, a fleeting moment charged with unspoken longing before her expression hardened imperceptibly.

As the music swelled and the dancers twirled around them, Jungkook felt a hand on his arm. Startled, he turned to find his father, King Jinho, regarding him with a mix of expectation and sternness.

"Jungkook, my son, remember your duty to the kingdom," King Jinho whispered urgently, his voice barely audible over the orchestra. "The alliance with the Herrers is crucial for our realm's stability."

"I understand, Father," Jungkook replied with forced composure, his heart sinking as he tore his gaze away from her retreating form. The weight of duty pressed down on him, suffocating his desires and dreams of a love that could never be.

But deep within him, a rebellious spark flickered—a determination to defy expectations and seize his own happiness, even if it meant risking everything he knew.