I caught sight of him moving through the hall and froze. He wasn't just walking he was commanding every inch of space.
Oh my god…
He was huge. Taller than anyone else in the room, broad-shouldered enough to make the crowd around him shrink like they didn't even exist. Even from where I was, I could see the way he carried himself, like the room itself bent around him.
His hair was dark, thick waves falling over his forehead, and those eyes almost glowing, cut through the crowd with a precision that made me shiver.
And then… they landed on me.
Huh? Wait… he's looking at me? No way…
My chest tightened, heart stumbling over itself. Just looking at him felt like stepping onto a knife's edge.
The crimson of his coat streaked through the crowd, trimmed with black and silver that caught the candlelight, and somehow it didn't feel like clothing. It felt like armor for the entire damn world. He owned the room.
I realized why Duchess had been losing sleep over his presence.
His gaze flicked away, or maybe I imagined it, but my brain refused to let go.
Oh god… he's not just gorgeous… he's so hot I could fry an omelette on his head.
"Sister, you're almost drooling," Esther nudged me, smirking. I whipped my head toward him and gave him a glare sharp enough to cut glass.
"You little—ugh, whatever. But seriously… the Crown Prince!? He's a prince! He's… enormous, like a beast, and… handsome." I felt my brain glitching in full fangirl mode.
Esther raised an eyebrow, staring at me like I'd lost my mind. "Huh? But you never found him gorgeous before. You said he was annoying."
I froze, forcing myself to sift through Meredia's memories. Oh, right. She didn't like him because he always stole attention, always too perfect.
They hadn't met in years because Kirill and Kairan were off at their academies, being trained to perfection as heirs.
But now… he's… wow. Who else in this hall could even compete?
I felt my chest tighten again, heart doing a stupid little dance, and I knew I wasn't going to be able to stop staring.
I looked back at the Crown Prince, and he was now deep in conversation with Kirill and Duke. Beside him stood another man....shorter, softer, less intimidating but still… ridiculously gorgeous.
Dirty-blonde hair, messy but elegant, like he'd just stepped out of some romantic painting. His outfit was straight out of a prince magazine: blush-pink and ivory, sheer embroidered shirt with golden details, billowing sleeves, roses stitched across his chest, ivory pants and boots tracing the embroidery perfectly. Chains, pearls, opals… he was everything.
"Eri, let's go," Duchess's voice cut through my daze.
"Huh?" I blinked. She was marching toward me like she planned to kidnap me.
"You are the light of tonight, my dear. You must meet the prince."
The light? Oh god… meet him? Him?! He's gorgeous enough to make angels cry. Why would he looked at me?
But Duchess didn't care. She grabbed my hand and practically dragged me forward. Duke noticed, smiled, and gestured toward us like this was all perfectly normal.
"Your Highness, here comes Meredia," he said.
And then… ohhh my god… he turned to me.ohhh my god… he turned to me.
Time stopped literally. The crowd, the chandeliers, the awkward coughs were gone. Just him.
His face was perfection. Angular, sharp, like every bone had been sculpted for a throne. High cheekbones, a jaw that could cut glass, a straight nose, and eyes....emerald green, piercing straight through me. His hair was dark, falling in soft waves over his forehead, just… ugh, kill me now.
Someone nudged me. "Eri… are you well?"
Are you kidding me? Well? I've just died and gone to handsome heaven.
Another voice, probably Duchess again, "Eri, should we take you to rest?"
Can I just… live here forever staring at him? Or maybe lick his chest?
Then he spoke. His voice. Oh god, that voice. Deep, thick, commanding. I swear, four-year-old me would have peed on the spot.
"I think… she's quite shocked to see me here," he said, calm and impossibly smooth.
"Eri…" Duchess's voice broke through again. "What's wrong?"
Uh… everything?
I shook my head, trying to pretend I was a normal person.
Duke, Duchess, Kirill all staring at me like I was the one causing a national emergency. My cheeks burned. I was mortified.
And did I even mention how tall he was?
My head barely reached his upper chest, not even close to his chin.
If I had to kiss him… I'd have to tiptoe. Why am I even thinking this? First dirty thought in this world and it's about a guy I just met?
Then he lifted his hand, palm up, stretching it toward me.
I froze, blinking at him, then at Duchess. She gave a tiny nod, lifted my hand, and placed it gently into his palm.
And oh my god… his hand was huge. If he had slapped me, I probably would've flown straight out of the hall for three days.
He rubbed my knuckles with the softest touch before bowing slightly and planting a kiss there. My face heated instantly, cheeks blazing.
And as his lips brushed my hand, a strange, familiar feeling bubbled up inside me. Like I'd known him longer than a glance, longer than today.
"I… wish you a joyous occasion, Lady Meredia," he said. He complimented me too....something about my grace, my poise, how the gown suited me like it was made for this night.
He straightened, and I stared at him, utterly puzzled.
He raised an eyebrow, a smile tugging at his lips, and his gaze flickered. Was he just as confused as I was?
What the hell is this feeling?
My heart was hammering, utterly lost. Something about him… it wasn't just beauty. There was a vibe, a pull, a presence that made my brain go mushy.
"Lady, you look like fire itself has decided to take human form today," said the man beside Prince Kairan.
Ah… Prince Ancillin. Younger brother. Green eyes, a shade lighter than Kairan's, and a smile that could probably melt snow.
I couldn't resist a little teasing, "Honestly… you look pretty radiant yourself."
He chuckled, brushing the back of his head like it was no big deal. "I know, right? My brother was saying I dressed like a noblewoman's mistress tonight."
Compared to Kairan, Ancillin seemed easy to be around, a soft, approachable kind of charm. Kairan… well, he still radiated danger like some walking storm.
Duchess clasped her hands together, almost sparkling, "I was so afraid you both wouldn't attend because you hadn't replied to the invitation."
Ancillin waved it off lazily, "Ah, that… I may have forgotten to reply."
Duke gave a simple nod, "It's alright. Everything is going smoothly now."
Duchess, meanwhile, pulled me closer with a grin, "And soon the dance will start."
With that, the men...Kirill, Duke, and the princes were swallowed up by other guests, leaving me in my little corner. I sank back and finally let myself focus on food.
Even as I devoured a few bites, my eyes couldn't help drifting to Kairan. He was mostly busy talking to other nobles, but every now and then… oh great, there it was again… a glance in my direction.
Stop looking at me, my heart can't handle this.
"Ladies and gentlemen, the debutante dance will now begin. May we have your attention, please."
Why am I never informed before anything starts!?
The announcer's voice rang out, silencing the murmurs and chatter
All eyes turned toward me.
Great, nothing says subtlety like 300 noble people watching you breathe.
Duchess stepped forward, beaming, and took my hand. "Eri, my little gem, let's start with the first dance."
Oh thank God! My first dance is with Duke.
Duke offered his hand, bowing slightly as if he wasn't about to murder me by stepping on my toes. I hesitated… then took it. His palm was warm and firm. Safe… at least here I wouldn't get insulted by anyone except maybe myself.
The musicians struck up a slow, sweeping waltz. The golden chandeliers glittered, and the floor gleamed like someone had poured molten light across it.
I tried to walk gracefully, heels clicking against the polished floor. Every step felt like a balancing act between elegance and imminent collapse.
Duke guided me effortlessly, one hand on my waist, the other holding mine. I could get used to this. Except my legs were screaming and my gown weighed a ton.
We glided across the floor, spinning once, then twice, and I realized… wow, people were actually watching. Eyes on me. And not in the "oh she's a disaster" way. In the "wow" way.
"Your posture is perfect, Eri," Duke whispered, smiling. His warmth… so grounding. I could almost forget the crown prince with his glowing green eyes lurking somewhere near the edge of my vision.
Almost.
Because there he was, standing across the hall, eyes fixed on me. Kairan Alistair Ashbourne. Just… staring. Like I was a piece of art he couldn't touch but desperately wanted to examine.
And I couldn't even breathe normally.
Duke spun me gently again, guiding me around the floor, oblivious to the green-eyed chaos watching from afar.
"Father…" I muttered under my breath, "I might die of embarrassment, but thank you for making me feel slightly human while doing it."
He chuckled, low and warm. "You're doing beautifully, Eri. Just follow my lead."
And we spun and moved together while from time to time my gaze wandered off to find that hottie hulk.
The music faded, and Duke kissed my forehead before stepping back, proud as ever. My skirts swished as I curtsied, the applause echoing like some dream I wasn't ready for.
Then it happened.
Like a swarm of bees, but in velvet coats and shiny boots, the men started circling. Some were my age, others older, all polished and grinning like I was some prize pig at the fair.
"Lady Meredia, might I request the honor of the next dance?"
"You were breathtaking out there, my lady."
"Truly radiant, like Solterra's rose."
Okay, wow, someone feed their egos. And what's with all this attention? I'm literally just existing here.
I smiled awkwardly, trying to figure out which one looked least likely to step on my gown and send me flying across the room. But before I could even decide—
A shadow cut through the crowd.
He moved in with the kind of presence that made every other man seem… background like the room itself dimmed just to spotlight him.
Prince Kairan.
He didn't rush and took measured deliberate slow steps owning the space as though it belonged to him. His broad frame towered over the others, eyes sharp, glinting under the chandeliers like they had secrets no one else was worthy of.
The chatter dipped. A ripple of silence followed him, as if everyone knew better than to compete.
And then—he stopped in front of me.
He didn't bow too low, didn't make a show of it. He just inclined his head, gaze never leaving mine, and extended his hand, palm up.
My breath hitched.
The men around me shifted uncomfortably, some retreating, others pretending they weren't intimidated. But I couldn't tear my eyes away.
The way he looked at me… not like the others. Not with sweet smiles or rehearsed compliments. No, his intense and unreadable gaze burned intense. It was far too consuming for me to stand still under.
Heat shot through my cheeks. My heart hammered like I'd just sprinted across the ballroom. Oh no. Oh no. Don't do this. Don't melt. Don't—
"Lady Meredia." His voice was low, rich, brushing against me like velvet yet striking like steel. "May I have this dance?"
The sound alone nearly buckled my knees.
I couldn't even speak. My hand hovered stupidly before my consciousness nudged me from inside.
I placed my hand in his.
And it fit like his palm had been made to hold mine, larger, warmer, engulfing without effort. His thumb brushed against my knuckles, almost casual, but the spark that shot up my arm was anything but.
He smirked faintly, like he knew exactly what he was doing to me.
"Don't kill me! I am your wife!"
I flinched, whipping my head around.
Who–who said that?
My eyes darted through the glittering crowd, the laughing nobles, the polished smiles. No one looked like they'd just begged for their life.
But my skin crawled.
Everyone was nervous with the prince's presence, yes, but no one's wife was screaming.
It's not here. My intrusive mind be imagining being a abused wife again.
Focus on hottie prince—
"Please! Your Highness! No!"
The voice shrieked again. I tried to breathe to shake it off but it echoing inside my skull, not outside.
My temples pulsed like something sharp had been shoved into my brain. I grabbed at my head, pressing hard with both hands.
"A-Ahh—" I gasped.
The room tilted, the chandeliers blurred.
"Are you well, lady?" His voice was right at my ear....too close.
I looked up. His hands were on my shoulders… but it felt so cold..freezing, like he wasn't flesh and blood at all.
I took heavy breathes. I couldn't create any scene in here. I had to dance. I looked up at prince again and—his eyes. Those green eyes that had dazzled me seconds ago....now they burned, blazing bright, not with warmth but with something violent, something that could kill.
Killing intent.
My stomach flipped. I blinked hard and then the look was gone. His face was calm and unreadable, as if nothing had shifted.
But my body knew what I saw.
What is happening to me…?
A flash ripped through my mind. A picture? No! No! A scene.
Blood. A blade plunging into a chest and a woman in red collapsing, gasping. Her eyes wide and filled with tears.
My heart stopped.
It was Meredia.
And the hand gripping the blade—the man who had driven it into her—
My breath broke in my throat. My entire body jolted back, instinct taking over.
It was him.
Kairan.
"I–I h–have to—go!" The words tumbled out broken, and I yanked at my gown, shaking his hands off my shoulders. My legs moved before my brain could catch up. I stumbled away from him, fast, head down, breath jagged.
My whole body was trembling. Sweat clung to my back under the gown, and my hands shook so bad I clenched them into fists just to stop them. I didn't dare look back at him...not at those eyes.
Duchess caught up, voice sharp piercing my ears, "Eri, why didn't you accept—"
"Later. I feel unwell," I muttered, not stopping. I just needed distance.
But even as I walked, I wanted to look again. I had to look again. I had to see if it was really...those eyes… they felt familiar for a reason—a good reason. It couldn't just be that memory. It couldn't.
I rubbed my arms, trying to ground myself, then finally turned slowly back to where he'd stood.
And froze.
He was gone.
My chest squeezed. My eyes darted across the crowd, desperate.
What—where!?
A chill crawled up my spine.
He was just here. How the hell can a man that tall just disappear?