There it was.

That familiar cold gaze. Like you were peering into infinity.

You were unlike the other noblewomen at court. You were not impressed by Julius—not even a little. You recognized him for what he was—a spoiled and arrogant prince—and you treated him accordingly. His games found no place in your world. Yet, he held a peculiar desire to continue.

"Duchess," the prince beamed with a boyish grin, taking a daring step closer to you, "what brings you to the capital?"