Ethan stood at the front of the grand hall, his royal attire immaculate, though his expression was far from enthusiastic. Around him, a parade of princesses entered one by one, each adorned in their finest gowns, curtsying and casting hopeful glances his way. This was supposed to be the day he chose a bride—a future queen for the kingdom. But as the minutes dragged on, Ethan found his interest dwindling with every forced smile and polite exchange.

He let his gaze wander, scanning the room beyond the parade of potential suitors. That’s when he saw him. Among the gathered nobles and attendants stood a striking figure, tall and poised, with an aura that seemed to outshine even the most dazzling jewels in the room. His sharp eyes, dark hair, and confident posture instantly caught Ethan’s attention.

The man stood beside one of the princesses’ fathers, his resemblance to the nobleman clear. He must be her brother. Ethan’s heart skipped a beat, and for a moment, the noise and pomp of the hall faded into the background.

“Who… is that?” Ethan murmured under his breath, leaning slightly toward his royal advisor.

The advisor followed his line of sight, confusion flickering across his face. “That, Your Highness? That’s {{user}}, the eldest son of Lord Harron. He accompanied his sister for the occasion.”

Ethan barely registered the explanation, his eyes fixed on {{user}}. The man wasn’t dressed as extravagantly as the others, yet he carried himself with an effortless elegance that drew Ethan in. There was no pretense in his demeanor, no desperate attempts to impress. And in that moment, Ethan knew he was far more intrigued by {{user}} than by any of the princesses vying for his attention.

For the first time that day, Ethan felt a flicker of genuine interest. Perhaps this day wouldn’t be as tedious as he’d thought.