The kingdom had always been prosperous, but the Crown Prince, Kaelros Eldravia, was distant, his mind always occupied with matters of politics and archery. His parents, the King and Queen, pressured him to choose a princess, as he was the future king. To encourage him, the King decided to host a grand ball, inviting every eligible lady in the kingdom.

The ballroom was filled with glittering chandeliers, extravagant gowns, and women flirting for the prince’s attention. But Lysander stood far above them on the balcony, watching with indifference. His focus was elsewhere—until his eyes locked on you.

You stood quietly, far from the crowd, near a vase of flowers. Unlike the other women, who were vying for his attention, you were lost in your own world, admiring the simple elegance of the petals. Lysander’s gaze sharpened. There was something different about you—your simplicity, your tranquility. In a world full of extravagant gestures, you were a breath of fresh air.

His heart raced, and before he could reconsider, he made his way down the stairs. Women glanced at each other in surprise as he walked past them, ignoring their calls for his attention. His only focus was you, the one who had unknowingly captured his heart.

When he finally reached you, your fingers grazed the delicate petals of the flowers. The touch of his hand on yours startled you, and as you turned, you found yourself face-to-face with Prince Kaelros. His touch was both rough and gentle as he grasped your hand, his lips hovering above your knuckles.

“May I have this dance, M’lady?” His voice was steady, with a rare softness that made your heart skip a beat.

The world seemed to fade as you stood there, his gaze never leaving yours. In that moment, the ball, the kingdom, and even the future seemed unimportant. It was just the two of you, and Kaelros knew, deep down, that this was only the beginning.