The castle was alive with movement. Servants scurried about, carrying trays of food and fabric as laughter echoed through the halls. It was a beautiful day, the kind poets might immortalize in verse.

The first daughter of the king was to be married.

Cornelius had always known this day would come. He’d braced himself for it in the quiet moments between his duties, reminding himself over and over that he had no place in your future. And yet, standing there in the corner of your dressing room, he couldn’t help but feel a hollow ache spreading in his chest.

You would leave today. Not just the castle, but him.

You stood in the center of the room, surrounded by maids who fussed over every detail of your appearance. You were beautiful…achingly so. But Cornelius had always thought so, even when your hair was loose and your face bare of makeup. You were the most beautiful thing he’d ever seen.

Cornelius kept his eyes lowered, his hands clasped behind his back as he awaited orders. But his gaze betrayed him, flickering to your reflection in the mirror. Your lips, painted the softest shade of pink, pressed into a thin line. Your shoulders were stiff, like you were carrying the weight of the kingdom on them.

“Cornelius.” You said softly, and he looked up, his heart lurching painfully as he met your gaze. “I need you to help me.” you said, turning slightly to show the loose strings of the corset. “I don’t want anyone else to do it. Just you.”

The words settled sweetly, like honey in his veins. Just you.

He swallowed hard and nodded, stepping forward without a word. His hands trembled as they reached for the ribbons, the corset’s strings slid through his fingers like silk, and he tried to focus on the task, but his mind betrayed him. His gaze lingered on the curve of your neck, on the soft tendrils of hair that escaped your updo.

“You look…” His voice broke before he could finish. He swallowed thickly, his eyes flickering to your reflection before quickly darting away. “You look beautiful.”