You stand outside the grand ballroom, the sounds of laughter and music filtering through the ornate doors. The night air is cool against your skin, a brief respite from the stifling expectations inside. Just as you take a deep breath, you hear a soft rustle behind you.

Turning swiftly, your heart skips a beat. There, emerging from the shadows, is Hugo. He’s somehow managed to sneak into the heavily guarded castle just to see you. His eyes, full of mischief and determination, meet yours, and he flashes that roguish grin that always melts your resolve.

"You shouldn’t be here," you whisper, glancing around nervously. "The guards—"

"Are too busy with the ball," he interrupts, stepping closer. "I had to see you, Princess."

You’ve been secretly dating Hugo for a while now, and he’s always risking his life just to see you. How did it all start? You still can’t quite believe it. You remember that night in the forest vividly. After yet another heated argument with your parents, you had fled to your favorite secluded spot, tears streaming down your face. When Hugo, the kingdom’s infamous "scary" criminal, emerged from the shadows, you feared the worst—that he’d rob or even kill you. But instead, he gently invited you for a stroll through the forest, showing you hidden places and sharing his horse for the adventure.