“Dame Bonnie!” I lifted the sides of my moss-green dress as I sprinted toward the pale, well-built woman. I let go of my dress, wrapping my arms around her. “You were gone for so long! Are you doing okay? How is your mom?” Questions flew from my mouth until I finally ran out of breath.
Bonnie’s soft laugh seeped into my ears before she answered, “My mother is doing well, Princess. She’s recovered perfectly from her illness, thankfully.” I let go, pulling back from her. Her violet eyes met mine. “I missed watching over my favorite princess,” she smirked, her red hair blowing slightly in the light wind.
“I’m the only princess in the Valara Empire,” I snickered , my heels clicking on the paved path as I turned away from Bonnie.
“Hmm, I guess that’s true.” She laughed once more. Soren, who had been standing back, finally approached Bonnie. “Captain Valehart,” Bonnie nodded toward him. He gave her a light pat on the shoulder. “It’s nice to have you back, Dame Bonnie,” he smiled.
I yawned. Staying up so late with my brothers was not a good idea. My black metallic hair blew across my face as the wind picked up. “I hope it doesn’t storm—Father’s birthday banquet is today.” I missed my father; it would be nice to see my family all in one place after so long.
I rushed to my room, Bonnie and Soren quick on my heels behind me. I pushed the slightly heavy door to my bedroom, lifting a finger to them both. “Wait here! I want to surprise you with my dress!” I cheered softly before closing the door behind me.
After some time, I was finally ready for my father’s birthday banquet. I walked closer to my pale-colored vanity, my finger curling around the only drawer on it. The drawer squeaked as it opened, revealing a small red velvet box. I traced my finger along the silky purple bow. Purple—my father’s favorite color.
I grabbed it, slipping it into the hidden pocket I had convinced Madam Elera to sew into my dress, cleverly disguised by the embroidery of seashells and waves. My hair was pinned back ever so slightly, a long braid capturing the length of it.
I pulled the door open, a wide smile on my face, greeted not only by my guards but by my brother Kai.
“You look oh so beautiful, sister!” Kai exclaimed loudly, reaching his hand out for me.
“Yes, very lovely, Princess,” Bonnie’s monotone voice buzzed, her face blank but I knew she meant every word.
“Thank you!” I smiled, taking Kai’s hand. I peered at Soren—he was looking away, making my heart ache ever so slightly. His head turned, making brief eye contact with me, followed by a closed-eyed smile. We all continued toward the banquet.
Before the grand doors, a small sigh left my lips. My finger softly traced the embroidery seashells on my dress. The heavy feelings of being around so many judging eyes weighed down my chest.
The doors opened just enough to show the banquet was in full swing. The herald’s voice cut through the soft music:
“Friends, nobles, and honored guests — may I have your attention for the royal twins! Prince Malachi and Princess Kira, the pride of the king and the light of the Valara Empire!”
My arm through his, he whispered, “Enjoy yourself, don’t worry too much. It’s just talk.” I nodded, his words easing the heaviness in my chest. Soft claps filled the room. My eyes glanced around as we walked in, catching my elder brother Cassian’s soft smile before he turned back to chat with soldiers fresh from protecting our border in Fort Valis.
My gaze darted, noticing several nobles I had met before. It settled on my father, seated at his throne, my mother by his side, her hand clutching his gently, warming my heart. “I’m going to greet Mother and Father,” I spoke, already moving. Kai had found some younger nobles to speak with. Soren and Bonnie broke off to opposite sides of the hall.
I brushed past several nobles, catching bits of whispered conversation:
“It’s too bad—she’ll never be queen.”
“I’m surprised they’d even give her courtly duties.”
“I can only see Prince Cassian as our next King. Prince Malachi is far too childish for a chance at the throne—”
I stopped in my tracks, turning sharply toward one noblewoman. I didn’t care what they said about me — I’d heard worse whispered in marble halls — but their words about Malachi felt like knives.
The woman blinked, startled by my sudden attention. Her lips parted just slightly.
“I’m sorry,” I said, voice calm but cool. “Were you saying something about my brother?”
A hush rippled around us. A few nobles subtly drifted away, pretending not to eavesdrop. The woman hesitated, color rising in her cheeks.
“Of course not, Your Highness,” she said quickly, offering a half-curtsy. “Just idle talk.”
“Then be mindful of the air you speak it into,” I replied, gaze steady. “There are ears here that love him dearly.”
I didn’t wait for her response—I didn’t need it. I turned, letting my gown trail behind me like waves, chin high as I rejoined the path toward the banquet’s heart.
The music swelled as I neared the throne where my father now stood nearby—tall, regal, and golden in the candlelight, a crown of dark iron and sapphire resting like it belonged to him alone. My mother was beside him, poised as ever, her hand resting gently on his arm.
His eyes found me through the crowd before I spoke, softening instantly. I dipped into a graceful curtsy, one we’d practiced when I was younger, back when he insisted I learn the royal gestures “as if I meant them.”
“Happy birthday, Father,” I said, rising with a small smile I couldn’t hold back. “You look very emperor-like tonight.”
He let out a low chuckle, already opening his arms. “And you, waterbug, look like you stepped out of the sea itself.”
I let him pull me into a brief embrace, careful not to crush the embroidery. He smelled faintly of cloves and soft hints of my mother’s vanilla perfume.
“I have something for you,” I added, reaching into the folds of my sleeve to produce a slim velvet box. “It’s nothing grand—”
He raised a brow. “From you, it’s everything.”
He pulled at the small silk bow, opening the box to reveal a delicate silver brooch shaped like a soaring falcon, the symbol of our house.
“It’s beautiful,” he murmured, pinching it gently between his fingers. “You always know how to find the right gift.”
Queen Lyssara’s eyes softened as she looked between the brooch and me. Though her smile was small, it reached all the way to her gaze—the kind of look only a mother could give, equal parts pride and silent understanding.
She stepped closer, her hand brushing my arm lightly. “You always had an artist’s eye,” she said, inspecting the brooch with a thoughtful gleam. “And your father’s heart.”
I blinked, surprised at the tenderness in her voice. She seldom offered such words in public.
She turned back to him with a fond look. “Now you’ll have another reminder of your daughter every time you wear it to the council.”
Father and mother started to speak quietly as the herald’s voice cut through the noisy crowd.
“Presenting His Grace, Duke Octavius Lanovo of Celdria, accompanied by his sons, Lord Adrian Lanovo and Lord Caelus Lanovo, and his daughter, Lady Isabella Lanovo.”
A ripple passed through the crowd. I watched as the Duke made his entrance—all poise and purpose, like a man who’d practiced power until it became second nature. He bowed low before the King, his smile smooth and measured.
“Your Majesty. Your Grace,” he said, voice like polished steel wrapped in velvet. His eyes flicked between my father and mother—too quick to be genuine, too respectful to be real. “Valara shines brightest under your rule. We are honored to stand in your presence on such a grand occasion.”
My father offered a gracious nod, courteous but cool. Beside him, Mother stood tall and still, her expression unreadable except for the way her fingers tapped lightly once against the fabric of her gown—a quiet warning.
Then the Duke turned toward me.
“Princess Kira,” he said, bowing just slightly lower than he had to the queen. “Celdria’s finest silks would envy your radiance tonight.”
I dipped my chin, offering a polite smile. “You’re most gracious, my lord.”
That was when Adrian stepped forward, hand over his chest in mock solemnity.
“Princess Kira,” he said with a grin that tugged a little too wide, “I must admit, Princess… I had a speech prepared, but you’ve gone and stolen every word from me the moment you walked in.”
I let out a soft breath of amusement despite myself. Adrian was always like this—charming, harmless—the kind of noble son raised to flirt first and scheme second... if he even bothered with scheming at all.
His bow was deep but theatrical, the kind meant more for the room than for me. I gave a small, practiced nod in return, ignoring the subtle flutter of interest from a few ladies nearby hoping he’d look their way next.
Lord Caelus followed behind with a shorter bow, his silence so absolute it might’ve been mistaken for disinterest. He didn’t look at me. Didn’t look at anyone, really.
Then came Lady Isabella, barely peeking from behind them. Her curtsy was delicate, almost shy—like she’d rather melt into the marble floor than be seen. I might’ve missed her entirely, except for the flicker of movement—her eyes drifting not to me, but sideways toward Lady Catherine.
It wouldn’t be the first time Catherine had traumatized someone, I mentally filed away the odd look Isabella had given her. I gave my parents a gentle nod before glancing around the filled banquet hall, searching for Malachi.
I quickly noticed his ruffled short golden blond hair, the liquid in his drink moving ever so slightly every time he spoke.
“Prince Malachi.” Adrian bowed ever so slightly toward my twin. “You and Princess Kira represent the best of the future—truly. Valara is lucky to have heirs like you.”
His emerald green eyes peered toward me, noticing my approach.
“Princess—” A smug smile appeared on Adrian’s lips. His hand slipped into mine before I could stop it—warm, rough-edged fingers with the calluses of a swordsman, not a courtly boy.
He brought my hand to his lips with a bow just deep enough to be respectful… but not without flair.
The kiss was featherlight, but he lingered after, just a second too long. Just long enough.
“You’re lucky, Princess,” he murmured, voice low enough for only me to hear.
“If I were the poet type, I’d spend all night writing verses just to capture how you looked walking into this room.”
A flush crept up my neck before I could stop it. I gave a soft, polite laugh—the kind I reserved for nobles who said too much with too little sense—but somehow, it didn’t quite reach my eyes.
“Then it’s a good thing you’re not,” I replied, gently withdrawing my hand.
He grinned at that, a touch more genuine than before.
Out of the corner of my eye, I caught Kai—still beside me—watching Adrian with a faint crease in his brow. His smile didn’t drop but stiffened like he’d noticed the shift in tone and wasn’t sure what to make of it. His fingers tapped once along the rim of his goblet.
I cleared my throat. “Excuse me. I just need a moment.”
I didn’t wait for a response. I stepped away from the warmth of the crowd, past velvet curtains and clinking glasses, toward the terrace and into the gardens beyond.
The air outside was sharp against my skin, and I welcomed it like a plunge into cold water. I didn’t stop walking until I reached the hedged path at the garden’s edge. Somewhere nearby, a fountain trickled softly. I breathed in. Out. Let the night wrap around me like a shield.
Then I heard it.
A voice—low and laced with warning—threading through the night like smoke.
“You forget who holds power here.”
I stopped.
Just past the hedgerow, beyond a break in the vines, I could make out the faint rustle of silk. A woman’s voice—sharp and furious—answered too quietly to make out.
But that voice…
The man’s voice again, clipped this time. Controlled.
“You wouldn’t risk your precious boy. Not over this.”
I didn’t dare move. My breath caught in my throat, cold and unsteady.
Who is that? I thought, heart pounding. My fingers tightened at my sides. Something about the way he spoke made my skin crawl.