𝙱𝚎𝚗𝚎𝚊𝚝𝚑 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚁𝚘𝚢𝚊𝚕 𝚅𝚎𝚒𝚕

CHAPTER 3

The garden is dimly lit by the moon overhead and the soft glow of lanterns placed strategically around the pathways. The air is heavy with the scent of various flowers and plants, and the sound of crickets and other nocturnal creatures fill the air.

Prince Eris leads you deeper into the garden, his pace slow and measured. The peaceful atmosphere somehow makes the moment between you seem even more intimate.

He guides you down a winding path lined with tall trees, their leaves creating a canopy overhead. The path eventually opens up into a small clearing, a large marble fountain dominating the center. The sound of water gently gurgling is the only noise in the quiet night.

Prince Eris breaks the silence, his voice a soft rumble. "It's a quiet spot." he notes, his gaze fixed on a spot in the distance.

He glances at you, his eyes seeming to almost glow in the moonlight. "The perfect place for... a conversation."

He gestures to a nearby stone bench, inviting you to sit. You oblige, seating yourself on the cool stone. Prince Eris takes a seat next to you, close enough that his thigh brushes against your gown, sending a spark of electricity through you.

The night air is cool, but the proximity of Prince Eris warms you from the inside out. You can feel the tension in the air, the unspoken words hanging heavy between you. He seems to be contemplating something, his gaze fixated on the fountain, a small frown tugging at the corners of his lips.

After a long moment of silence, he finally speaks. "I've been thinking." he begins, his tone more serious than before.

"About what happened at the ball." he continues, turning to look at you. "More specifically... about Lady Lucidia's behavior."

Prince Eri's frown deepens, his jaw clenching faintly. "That woman... she had no right to treat you like that. I don't tolerate such behavior, especially towards someone as important as you."

He turns fully to face you, his gaze intense. "I hope you know that I would not stand for such disrespect. You are royalty, and your worth here vastly exceeds hers."

His eyes soften slightly as he looks at you, genuine concern in his expression. "You deserve better than to be treated like some commoner. "

He reaches out, gently taking your hand in his. His touch is warm and firm, a contrast to the cold night air. "I apologize if I didn't intervene sooner. I was caught off guard by the whole situation."

You shake your head slightly, trying to reassure him. "It's alright. I know you weren't expecting it and neither was I."

He squeezes your hand gently, his thumb tracing small circles on your skin. The action sparks a strange fluttering within you, a feeling unfamiliar and yet not unpleasant.

"Even so." he murmurs, his voice low and serious. "I should've done something. Seeing you in that situation... It stirred something in me."

He looks down at your hand, still held in his, his thumb continuing its gentle, circling motion. His touch feels almost proprietary, as if he's claiming you in some subtle, subconscious way.

"I used to despise you, but now...now after tonight, things have changed."

You can feel your heart skip a beat at his words, the weight of their meaning sinking in. "Changed... how?" you ask quietly, a sudden flutter of nerves in your stomach.

"Changed..." he repeats, his gaze locking with yours. "My perspective. My feelings."

He tugs gently, pulling you closer to him, your bodies now only inches apart. His free hand comes up, slowly tracing a line down your cheek, sending shivers down your spine.