We were on our way to the Palace of Vesperianth, where the royal mansion stood like a silent sentinel against the horizon. The clatter of the carriage wheels echoed through the grand stone archway as we approached.
"The Princess is here!" a guard bellowed, his voice echoing through the vast, empty courtyard.
It was a signal for everyone to prepare for my arrival. As the gates swung open, I finally loosened the heavy cloak from my shoulders and removed the delicate veil that had concealed my face. A cool breeze brushed against my skin, and I felt every pair of eyes on me.
The first to greet me was my eldest brother, Fin—the firstborn of the Elyndralis house. He offered his hand, helping me descend gracefully from the carriage before pulling me into a warm embrace. How sweet of him… as though he hadn't been at odds with me just days before. Ah, brothers—masters of contradiction.
From behind us, I heard the hushed whispers of the palace maids:
"Oh my lord… She's so beautiful.""The rumors were true—she's breathtaking."
Their awe was almost tangible. Most of these women were commoners, yet loyal ones, carefully chosen by Prince Ashen. Their voices were filled with admiration, disbelief, and a healthy dose of fear.
A young maid stepped forward, her cheeks flushed pink. "Your Majesty! You look so stunning today!" she exclaimed with a deep bow.
I smiled softly, my voice warm and gracious. "Thank you. You look quite beautiful yourself today."
Her eyes widened, as if she couldn't believe I had complimented her. The whispering intensified: "She's so kind… I can't believe it."
Their soft chatter followed us as Fin led me inside. The moment we crossed the threshold, I noticed the abundance of maids and knights stationed throughout the mansion. Every face I saw was one carefully handpicked, every step I took echoed with the silent promise of trust and secrecy.
This was more than just a mansion. It was a fortress—one that protected not just the royal family, but secrets that could shatter the empire itself.
"Where's Zein?" I asked Fin as we walked through the grand hall, my voice echoing softly against the high ceilings.
"He's in the office with Prince Kaein," Fin replied, his tone smooth and familiar.
"Oh! I have something for you!" I said, a smile tugging at my lips. I turned slightly and called out, "Sylvia."
"Yes, my lady. Here!" Sylvia hurried forward, placing a small velvet box in my hand.
I offered it to Fin with a flourish. "Consider it a token of my appreciation."
He opened it, revealing a finely crafted bezel-set pin that gleamed under the chandelier's light. "Thank you, Dravina. I will treasure this," he said, his voice softening with genuine warmth. Then, with a gentle gesture toward the west wing, he added, "You can go to the Prince's office now. Zein is waiting for you there."
- The King's Legacy -
As I made my way through the marble corridors, my eyes drifted to the walls, lined with ornate paintings of the Vesperianth lineage. Each face was majestic, proud, and steeped in history. The air seemed to hum with the weight of their legacy.
Then I stopped, my breath catching slightly. A massive painting dominated the far wall: a portrait of the late King Dwine and a much younger Prince Ashen. A soft, almost unguarded smile graced Ashen's lips—a stark contrast to the cold, calculating man he'd become. He looked… adorable. Almost human.
And there she was. Standing behind them with a poised, regal grace: Queen Catherine. Her painted eyes seemed to pierce right through me, her presence so commanding it was almost as if she stood there in the flesh.
"Oh no…" I murmured, pressing a hand to my forehead. I hope she isn't here today... I didn't even buy her a gift.
As we walked toward the office, one of the maids stepped ahead and knocked lightly on the ornate wooden door.
Knock, knock, knock.
"Come in," a calm yet commanding voice answered from inside.
That voice… My heartbeat skipped. The voice of the prince.
The door swung open, and the first thing I saw was Zein's familiar, warm smile.
"How are you, my little sister?" he greeted, his tone laced with affection.
"Mother told me to come visit you here," I replied, stepping inside gracefully. Then, with a playful smile, I added, "And, I have something for you."
Turning slightly, I called, "Sylvia."
Sylvia stepped forward immediately, holding out a small velvet box for Zein.
"Come here," I said, beckoning him closer. As he leaned forward, I carefully fastened a delicate gem pin to his coat, adjusting it.
"It looks perfect on you," I said with satisfaction, brushing away a stray thread. "From now on, you're to wear it every day."
His lips curved into a rare, genuine smile. "I will," he promised softly.
Leaving him, I walked toward the far side of the room where Prince Ashen stood, tall and intimidating beneath the morning light that filtered through the window. I lowered myself into a graceful bow.
"Your Majesty," I greeted.
Ashen's sharp eyes flicked toward Zein and Sylvia. With the slightest gesture of his hand, they understood and quietly left the room, closing the heavy door behind them. Now, it was just the two of us.
- Eternal Love -
"I have something for you as well," I said, my voice softer this time as I extended a second box toward him.
He accepted it with a flicker of curiosity, opening it to reveal a simple yet elegant bracelet.
"A bracelet?" he asked, raising a brow.
"Yes," I nodded. "Come closer."
He took a single step toward me—close enough for me to catch the faint, clean scent of him—and I carefully fastened the bracelet around his wrist. The metal gleamed, catching the sunlight like a promise.
"It suits you perfectly!" I said, smiling with more enthusiasm than I intended.
His gaze, however, was unreadable. "Do you know what this bracelet you chose truly symbolizes?"
I blinked, caught off guard. "What… it symbolizes?"
He met my eyes steadily, his voice dropping to a smooth, almost dangerous whisper.
"It means eternal love."
My heart stopped.
ETERNAL LOVE?!
Panic surged through me. "I—WHAT?! I just picked it because it caught my attention!" I blurted out, hands flailing slightly in pure embarrassment. "I didn't know what it meant!"
A faint, knowing smirk curved his lips.
"Is that so?" he murmured, his tone laced with scepticism.
Why does he have to say it like that?! My mind screamed as I forced myself to stand tall and composed, though my heart was a chaotic mess.
"Thank you," he murmured, his voice low and velvety as he gently pulled me into his arms. His embrace was firm yet careful, as though I were something fragile he was afraid to break.
My breath hitched. Blush. Blush. BLUSH.
Oh no. Stay cool, Dravina. You are a dangerous princess. You've killed men without flinching. You will not—
My thoughts dissolved into chaos as I caught the faint scent of cedar and steel that clung to him.
When he finally released me, his hands lingered for a heartbeat too long on my shoulders before he stepped back. His eyes—those sharp, storm-gray eyes—held mine, searching as if he wanted to read every secret hidden in my soul.
"Have you eaten?" His voice was softer now, tinged with concern.
I swallowed hard. "I… I just had tea this morning," I answered, hating how small my voice sounded.
His brows furrowed, a flicker of displeasure crossing his face. "That's not enough." His tone left no room for argument. "Come. We'll go to the dining hall and eat together with your brothers."
I nodded quickly, unable to trust myself to speak.
As we walked side by side through the grand corridors, I kept my gaze fixed on the marble floor, desperate to calm myself. Ashen seemed perfectly at ease. He walked beside me, his hand occasionally brushing against mine as if by accident.
Each fleeting touch sent a shock racing through me. This is torture. Pure, exquisite torture.
When we reached a particularly quiet corridor, he suddenly slowed, tilting his head to study me.
"Why do you look so tense?" he asked, his tone deceptively casual.
"Me? Tense? Pfft, no," I lied through gritted teeth, clutching my cloak tighter.
His lips curved into the faintest smirk—the kind that always made me feel like prey caught in a predator's trap. "You've been avoiding my eyes since you arrived. Have I done something to frighten you, Dravina?"
Frighten me? You terrify me in ways you'll never understand.
"N-no," I stammered, forcing a laugh. "You're just… different today."
He stopped walking entirely, making me halt as well. Slowly, deliberately, he reached for my hand. His fingers curled around mine with a gentleness that contrasted sharply with the power coiled beneath his skin.
"I'm always different when it comes to you," he said, his voice barely above a whisper.
My breath caught. The world seemed to still be around us, the flickering torchlight casting his face in golden shadows. My deadly instincts screamed at me to pull away, to regain control—but my heart refused to listen.
"Why?" I finally asked, my voice trembling.
For a moment, he didn't answer. He only studied me, his gaze unreadable. Then, with a slight, rueful smile, he released my hand and continued walking, leaving me burning with questions and frustration.
I followed silently, my mind a whirlwind.
Does he truly care for me? Or is this just another move on a board I can't see?
And beneath all of that uncertainty, one thought lingered like poison: If he is serious about me, then why does it feel like everyone else only sees the bloodline I carry—the rare, dangerous blood that makes me valuable not as a person, but as a weapon?
"You always look so pretty," Ashen said suddenly, his voice laced with a teasing warmth. Then, with a sly grin, he added, "Tell me, do you have someone you're trying to impress besides me?"
I froze, my head snapping toward him. My mouth opened, but no words came out—only a silent scream. My thoughts were spiralling, my cheeks warming as I glared at him.
He chuckled softly. "I'm joking, I'm joking," he assured me, though the mischief in his eyes didn't fade in the slightest.
Before I could regain my composure, his hand slid into mine, his grip firm and unyielding as we walked down the corridor toward the dining hall. His touch was warm—too warm—and far too intimate for my already panicking heart.
Immediately, every maid we passed stopped what they were doing, their gazes snapping toward us in perfect unison.
Oh my gods, did you see that?!Kyaaaa!!They look so perfect together, kyaaaa!
Their excited whispers echoed like wildfire through the hallways. My ears burned hotter with every giggle and squeal, and I desperately tried to pull my hand free.
"Ashen," I hissed under my breath, giving my wrist a sharp tug.
But instead of releasing me, he tightened his hold, a smug little smirk tugging at the corner of his lips. "Struggle all you like, Dravina," he murmured, low enough that only I could hear, "but I'm not letting you go."
My heart skipped so violently I swore it stopped for a beat.
Is he trying to kill me—or make me fall even harder?
And the worst part? He was succeeding.