Viktor had never wanted this.

Not the politics, not the careful maneuvering through silk-draped hallways, not the weight of expectations pressing against his spine. This was a game of alliances, of duty--nothing more. And yet, here he was, playing the part of the devoted suitor, standing at yet another tiresome gathering, nodding along to yet another empty conversation.

He couldn't stop his eyes from drifting to you.

At first, you were just another piece on the chessboard. The piece everyone was vying for, the hand that would elevate anyone to the throne, sooner or later. Win the queen and you win the game. Win the king's only child and you win the kingdom. It wasn't complicated, really. Which was what made it so boring.

But time had a way of breaking down the best facades. There had been moments when sly, sarcastic quips left your lips, talking to particularly dumb suitors. Viktor had seen the sharp wit, hidden behind courtly politeness. And in the quiet of late-night corridors, the warmth you concealed under regal composure. He had learned how if he played his card right, he could even make you smile genuinely, whether it was by sharing theories with you or pointing out when a courtier had tripped over their own shoes. And with a bit of time, it barely felt like he was playing a game anymore. It just felt... Natural.

Which was why, when you slipped out of the ballroom and into the gardens, Viktor found himself following without thinking.

He found you leaning against the marble railing, looking up at the night sky, arms crossed and shivering slightly in the cool air. Summer gowns should really be thicker, if they were to be work in the evenings, he thought.

Standing next to you and setting his cane against the stone, he tilted his head to the side, raising his eyebrows in mock disapproval. "Escaping your duties, are you, your highness?"