For a fleeting moment after she had nearly fallen, Rosaline remained suspended between embarrassment and disbelief, her breath still uneven from the shock of it, her pulse echoing loudly in her ears as though her body refused to accept that she was no longer falling. Slowly.....far too slowly for her liking, the Duke released his hold on her, guiding her back onto her feet with a steadiness that contrasted sharply with the chaos unfolding within her.

She straightened instinctively, her posture snapping back into something composed, something controlled, yet the faint tremor in her fingers betrayed the disarray she could not quite conceal. Her gaze lowered, not out of submission, but out of necessity....because meeting his eyes again so soon felt dangerously overwhelming.

Before she could take a step back, however, she felt his presence shift closer once more.

Rosaline stiffened.

There was no urgency in his movement, no hesitation either; instead, there was a deliberate calmness, as though he had all the time in the world to observe her, to study the small details she wished desperately to hide.

His hand lifted, and before she could react or retreat, his fingers brushed lightly against her temple, guiding the loose strand of her white hair back into place with a gentleness that felt almost unfamiliar.

"You should be more careful," he said, his voice low and even, yet carrying a quiet authority that seemed to settle in the space between them.

Rosaline’s breath caught involuntarily, her lips parting as though she intended to respond, yet no words followed. The proximity, the softness of his touch, the subtle warmth of his presence....it all unsettled her in a way she had not anticipated.

Then he tilted his head ever so slightly, his gaze lingering on her face with an intensity that made her acutely aware of herself.

"You look beautiful today."

The words were simple, almost casually spoken, and yet they struck her with far more force than they should have.

For a moment, Rosaline could only stare, her thoughts scattering in confusion as she tried to decipher his tone, his intention, the meaning behind such unexpected familiarity.

Was he mocking her? Testing her? Or was this simply the way he spoke—effortless, unbothered, and dangerously sincere?

Unable to find an answer, she did the only thing her stunned mind allowed.....she gave a small, almost mechanical nod, her response silent and wholly inadequate.

If he noticed, he gave no sign.

Instead, his gaze softened by a fraction, and without warning, he reached for her left hand.

The gesture was unhurried, deliberate, leaving her no time to withdraw before his fingers enclosed gently around hers, lifting her gloved hand with a quiet confidence that made resistance feel impossible.

Rosaline’s heartbeat quickened.

Then, with a movement so smooth it felt almost unreal, he lowered his head and pressed his lips lightly against the back of her hand.

The contact was brief.

Yet it lingered.

"You must be tired," he said, straightening as though nothing unusual had occurred. "You may return and rest."

Her mind was blank.

Utterly blank.

And before she could regain even the smallest fragment of composure, he stepped closer once more, closing the already fragile distance between them until his face was level with hers.

Her breath stilled.

His gaze held hers again.....steady, unreadable, yet carrying something quieter beneath the surface, something she could not name but instinctively felt.

"Goodbye, Princess."

She tried to speak. 𝙛𝓻𝒆𝒆𝒘𝙚𝓫𝙣𝙤𝒗𝙚𝓵.𝙘𝙤𝙢

Once—her lips parted, but no sound came.

Twice—her throat tightened, betraying her completely.

"...Goodbye," she finally forced out, the word barely steady, slipping past her lips with an effort that left her more flustered than before.

And then she turned.

Rosaline walked away far too quickly for someone of her status, her steps losing their careful rhythm as her thoughts spiraled uncontrollably. The further she moved from him, the less composed she became, until the controlled grace she had maintained all day began to unravel entirely.

Her heart refused to slow, her mind replaying every moment, every word, every look.

What was that...?

Why did he....

Her foot nearly betrayed her again as it caught slightly against the stone path, forcing her to steady herself abruptly before she continued, this time with even greater urgency.

She did not stop walking.

She did not look back.

And though she would never admit it....

She was running.

Behind her, Xandros remained where he stood, his gaze following her retreating figure as she disappeared beyond the curve of the garden path. For a brief moment, silence settled around him, and then, almost without thought, a quiet chuckle escaped him.

There was something undeniably amusing in the way she fled....so unlike the poised image she had presented before the court, so unguarded, so... real.

"Am I interrupting something, my lord?"

The voice came from behind, light with curiosity and poorly concealed amusement.

Xandros did not turn immediately, though his expression shifted subtly, the trace of humor fading into something more controlled.

A young man stepped forward, offering a respectful bow before straightening, his eyes gleaming with interest.

"Seth," Xandros acknowledged at last, his tone even.

Seth’s smile widened slightly. "I must admit, that was quite the sight."

Xandros’ gaze flickered toward him, sharp enough to silence lesser men.

"You appear to have a great deal of idle time."

Seth raised his hands lightly. "Not at all, my lord. I merely happened to witness an... engaging moment."

Xandros turned fully now, his expression cooling. "Then ensure you do not linger long enough to witness another."

"Yes, my lord," Seth replied quickly, though the amusement in his eyes did not fade entirely.

There was a brief pause before Seth added, with deliberate casualness, "Still... she is quite remarkable."

Xandros’ gaze shifted, almost unconsciously, toward the direction Rosaline had gone.

"...My princess," he murmured under his breath.

Seth blinked.

"My lord?"

Xandros exhaled softly, dismissing it. "Nothing."

Seth studied him for a second longer before choosing not to press further.

"So," he said instead, "what would you have me do?"

Xandros’ tone returned to something more measured. "Find out what happened to her hands."

Seth frowned briefly, confusion flickering across his face before realization dawned.

"...Ah."

Then, predictably...

A grin.

"So we are concerned about our bride?"

Xandros’ silence was answer enough.

Seth did not wait to test it.

"I will see to it immediately," he said, already stepping back. "No further commentary from me."

And with that, he left.

Rosaline reached her room without remembering how she got there.

The moment the door closed behind her, she crossed the space in hurried steps before collapsing onto the bed, grabbing a pillow and pressing it firmly against her face as though it could contain the heat that had spread uncontrollably across her cheeks.

Her entire body felt warm, her thoughts tangled in a way that made no sense to her.

"What was that..." she murmured into the fabric.

The door opened softly moments later.

"My lady..."

Lily stepped inside, only to pause at the sight before her.

Rosaline sat up immediately, her expression shifting too quickly to appear natural.

Lily approached at once, concern evident in her voice. "Are you unwell?"

"I’m fine," Rosaline replied, far too quickly.

Lily’s eyes narrowed slightly. "Did the Duke do something?"

Rosaline stared at her, genuinely bewildered. "How do you arrive at such conclusions?"

"So he did not?"

"He did not," Rosaline insisted, before hesitating. "...He actually helped me."

Lily’s expression changed immediately, curiosity replacing concern.

"Oh?"

Rosaline looked away. "I almost fell."

"And?"

"...He caught me."

Lily leaned closer, studying her face carefully. "...And that is why you are blushing?"

Rosaline froze.

"I am not—"

"You are."

A pause.

Then defeat.

Lily smiled knowingly. "So... how did you find him?"

Rosaline hesitated, her thoughts drifting despite herself.

"...He is... good."

Lily raised a brow. "Only good?"

Rosaline frowned slightly, then spoke before she could stop herself.

"He is tall... and handsome... and when he is serious, there is something about him that feels... unreal."

Silence.

Then realization struck.

Rosaline’s eyes widened as she turned sharply toward Lily, who was already grinning.

"You tricked me!"

A pillow flew.

Lily laughed, stepping aside easily. "So you do like him."

"I do not!"

"Of course not," Lily teased lightly. "You only describe him in detail."

Rosaline tried to protest, but her laughter betrayed her instead.

Later, as Rosaline drifted into sleep, Lily remained seated beside her, her gaze thoughtful, her expression slowly losing its earlier lightness.

Is he truly kind...?

Or was it an act?

Because if it was.....

Then Rosaline was already in danger of believing it.

And that....

Would be far worse.

Determined, Lily rose quietly and slipped out of the room.

The palace corridors were dimmer now, quieter, carrying a different kind of tension.

It did not take long before she spotted him.

The Duke.

Standing with another man.

They were speaking in low tones.

Lily slowed her steps, moving carefully, intent on hearing just enough.

"...she only arrived today," the unfamiliar man was saying.

Lily’s heart skipped.

She leaned slightly forward....

And then.....

Her foot struck the edge of a raised divider.

Pain shot through her ankle.

A sharp sound escaped her before she could stop it.

Both men turned instantly.

Lily froze.

Her eyes widened.

And in that moment.....

She knew.

She had been caught.

Just to eavesdrop....she had done a job well messed up once again.