Xandros noticed her before the herald could even announce her name.

At first, it was simply a shift in the room,...subtle, but distinct. Conversations quieted, attention turned, and then.....

He saw her.

White.

Not dull, not pale in weakness, but striking, like untouched snow beneath a dim winter sky. Her hair, intricately styled yet soft in its fall, framed her face with an almost unnatural elegance.

Then her eyes lifted.

Green.

Sharp. Observant. Alive.

They locked onto his.

Xandros stilled, if only for a fraction of a second.

So this is the princess, he thought to himself.

She didn’t look away immediately.

That alone set her apart.

Most people avoided his gaze. Some out of fear, others out of respect. But this girl....

She looked at him like she was trying to understand him.

Measure him.

And then, as though realizing herself, she broke the contact and continued walking forward.

A corner of his mind registered it.

Interesting.

The great doors of the court opened fully now.

"Princess Rosaline of Everbloom!"

Her name echoed through the chamber, carried by the herald’s voice.

Every eye turned.

Rosaline stepped forward.

Her gown shimmered softly under the light, a warm yellow that contrasted beautifully with her pale complexion and white hair. It gave her an almost ethereal glow, like sunlight wrapped around something fragile.

But there was nothing fragile about the way she walked.

Each step was controlled.

Measured.

Disciplined.

Only those who watched closely would notice the tension hidden beneath the surface, the slight stiffness in her shoulders, the careful placement of her feet.

She reached her place, and a maid stepped forward quickly.

"My lady," her maid murmured, guiding her gently.

Rosaline gave a faint nod, allowing herself to be seated,only briefly.

Protocol.

She stood again almost immediately.

Turning first to the King, she lowered herself into a perfect bow.

"Your Majesty."

No hesitation.

No mistake.

The King acknowledged her with a slight nod, his expression unreadable.

She turned next.

"To Your Majesty," she said, bowing to the Queen.

Vivienne smiled warmly, tilting her head slightly. "Oh my dearRosaline, you look beautiful as ever."

Rosaline forced a polite smile. "Thank you, Your Majesty."

Then,

She turned to him.

The Duke.

For a fleeting second, her composure wavered.

His presence felt... different up close. He wasn’t trying to command attention, yet it followed him effortlessly.

"My Lord Duke," she said, bowing gracefully.

Xandros inclined his head slightly. "Princess."

His voice was low.

Calm.

Unmoved.

They all took their seats.

The atmosphere shifted.

It was wafting with formality and political tension.

The King rested his hands against the armrests of his chair, his gaze sweeping across the room before settling forward.

"We gather today," he began, his voice steady and authoritative, "to finalize the alliance between the Kingdom of Everbloom and the Dagon Empire."

A murmur of agreement moved through the court.

Queen Vivienne leaned slightly toward him, her fingers resting lightly over his hand.

"This union," she added softly, "will bring peace and prosperity to both lands. A necessary step in these uncertain times."

Her voice was gentle.

But deliberate.

She spoke like someone who knew she would be heard and obeyed.

Rosaline sat quietly, her hands folded neatly in her lap, the lace gloves concealing the redness beneath.

She should have been listening.

But she wasn’t.

Her attention drifted again to him,

The Duke.

He wasn’t speaking.

Wasn’t reacting, was just there watching.

Observing everything without effort.

Her eyes lingered a second too long,

And he caught her.

Instantly.

Their gazes met.

Rosaline quickly looked away, her pulse jumping.

Why does he always notice?

She tried again not to look.

She truly did.

But curiosity... or something else... kept pulling her gaze back.

Another glance.

Caught again.

This time, his expression didn’t change.

That almost made it worse.

Heat crept up her neck.

Stop it, Rosaline.

She straightened, fixing her eyes forward.

No more.

"...as tradition dictates," the King continued, "the union must be sealed without delay."

Rosaline’s breath slowed.

Something about his tone made her uneasy.

"The marriage," he said clearly, "will take place tomorrow."

Silence.

Then whispers of agreement and approval rose from within the crowd.

Rosaline didn’t move or react.

But inside,

Everything tightened.

"So soon?" one noble murmured.

"It is necessary," Vivienne replied smoothly, smiling. "Peace cannot wait."

Rosaline’s fingers pressed lightly into her gown.

Tomorrow...

Her life had been decided.

Finalized.

Without her.

The King rose.

"This session is concluded. All are dismissed."

Chairs moved.

Voices returned.

Then faded.

Until only a handful remained.

The King,Queen, Prince, Duke and Rosaline.

"Rosaline..."

The Prince’s voice was soft.

Careful.

Almost hesitant.

She turned toward him immediately.

But the softness in her expression disappeared just as quickly.

Replaced by formality.

"Your Highness," she said, bowing slightly.

The Prince frowned.

"You don’t have to be so distant. It’s me....."

"How may I assist you, Your Highness?" she asked, her tone polite but firm.

A clear boundary.

He paused, searching her face.

"...You’ve changed."

Rosaline gave a faint, controlled smile. "Time does that, Your Highness."

Behind her, Lily lowered her gaze.

Xandros noticed.

Again.

Too many things left unsaid.

Too many reactions that didn’t align.

His attention sharpened.

"I believe," Queen Vivienne interrupted smoothly, "it would be appropriate for the engaged pair to spend some time together."

The King nodded. "Yes.That would make sense, then it is settled."

He stood.

"You will walk in the garden."

Rosaline’s heart sank.

But she rose without protest.

The moment they stepped outside, the air shifted.

Cooler, quieter, freer.

Rosalind walked beside him.

Every movement controlled.

Every step deliberate.

Her back straight.

Her hands folded neatly.

Stiff.

Beside her, Xandros walked as though none of this concerned him.

"Are you always this tense?" he asked suddenly.

Rosaline blinked, startled.

"I beg your pardon?"

"You walk like someone is watching your every move," he said, glancing at her briefly.

She hesitated.

If only he knew.

"...In the palace, that is often the case."

"Hm."

That was all he said.

Silence returned.

But now it felt different.

He had spoken.

And somehow... that made things worse.

Rosaline risked a glance.

His expression was unreadable.

Calm.

Too calm.

Does he even care about this marriage?

Another glance.

His jawline was sharp, his posture relaxed, his gaze forward.

He doesn’t look like a monster...

She frowned slightly.

Then why does everyone fear him?

She looked again.....

And immediately...

He turned.

Their eyes met. He caught her,

Her breath hitched.

She snapped her gaze forward instantly.

"I apologize," she said quickly.

"For what?" he asked.

"...For staring."

A pause.

Then.....

"I didn’t say it was a problem."

Her heart skipped.

She didn’t respond.

Didn’t dare.

Tomorrow... I’ll belong to him.

The thought came uninvited.

Heavy.

Unsettling.

Her steps faltered slightly.

She wasn’t paying attention,

Her foot caught the edge of the stone path.

"Ah—!"

Her body tilted forward.

Falling....

Then.....

She didn’t.

Strong arms wrapped around her waist, pulling her back before she could hit the ground.

Rosaline froze.

Her breath caught completely.

His hand was firm against her waist.

Steady.

Unyielding.

Slowly....

She looked up.

And found herself impossibly close to him.

Close enough to feel the warmth of his breath.

Close enough to see the faint shift in his grey eyes.

"You should watch where you’re going," he said quietly.

But his voice wasn’t mocking.

Just... certain.

Rosaline couldn’t answer.

Her heart pounded wildly.

Her thoughts scattered.

And for a moment,

Nothing else existed.

Just him once again.

But wait, why was he looking at her like that?