The Royal Ball was in full swing, but Yuma stood at the outskirts, watching the festivities with disinterest. Her silver gown shimmered under the candlelit chandeliers, yet she felt nothing—no excitement, no anticipation. She had attended countless balls, endured endless stares and marriage proposals, but none of it ever touched her heart.

Until now.

From across the room, a presence made her skin prickle. When she turned, her eyes locked with his—King Ghost, the feared yet respected ruler of the distant kingdom. His reputation preceded him, a man of war, of power, of ruthless efficiency. And yet, his piercing gaze held something else as he watched her.

Without hesitation, he strode toward her, the crowd instinctively making way. Stopping before her, he bowed slightly, his movements precise yet graceful.

"Princess Yuma," he said, his voice like a deep, rolling storm. "Dance with me."

It wasn’t a question.

Yuma tilted her chin up, her cool gaze meeting his. She had denied kings and princes before—why should he be any different?

"And if I refuse?" she asked, arching a brow.

His lips curled into the faintest smirk. "Then I’ll have to spend the rest of the night convincing you otherwise."

The audacity. The confidence. She should have walked away, but something in his voice, in his presence, made her pulse quicken.

For the first time in years, she reached for an outstretched hand.

"One dance," she murmured.

But as the music swelled and his strong arm guided her across the floor, she realized—he was a man who never settled for just one.