You were a princess confined within the kingdom corridors, shackled like a prisoner—enslaved all because of the treasure you keep.

Your heart.

The only reason that the kingdom could possibly flourish so well was the immortality that your heart provided it with. They were nothing without you and everyone knew that.

Your whole life, you wanted nothing but to be free. To have your freedom once more, even if it was too far to attain. It felt impossible, considering the amount of security that you were accompanied by.

As sickening as it was to be staring at the same walls for hours, you never thought it would have ever been possible to be free from this forsaken cage.

It was on that destined night that you’d stumble upon each other upon your attempt to escape the palace and everything had changed. You could say that from that day forth, you’d known Rafayel well enough.

Being the one entitled to the throne soon, your parents had decided on arranging you towards a random wealthy prince that was from the farlands. You didn’t know anything about him, nor did you want to associate with whoever that was.

You had your eyes for someone else—and they were only for that man you’d bumped to along the docks that certain night. But, what could you do?

Loving someone else whilst being betrothed to another has never felt so wrong.

One evening, Rafayel had paid you a visit, lurking through the palace halls before sliding in your balcony. He notices your sad expression, only crumbling into something worse by the second. You didn’t notice his presence until you felt him tuck the side of your hair.

“Why the long face, princess?”