NEW LIFE IN ANOTHER WORLD

14. Is it LOVE or...

The crown prince, Lucien Vaelhart, strode down the grand hallways of the palace, his thoughts focused on his destination—the library. It was a quiet morning, the kind he often cherished, where he could retreat into the world of books and forget the burdens of his royal duties, even if only for a short while.

But today was different. As he walked, a peculiar sensation washed over him—a feeling he couldn't quite place. From a distance, something—or rather, someone—caught his eye. It was as if an ethereal glow was emanating from the corridor ahead, almost angelic in its radiance. He slowed his pace, curiosity piqued. The source of this strange aura became clearer as he drew nearer, and soon enough, he saw her.

A young woman, standing with a maid beside her, her figure bathed in the soft light filtering through the palace windows. Her presence alone seemed to illuminate the dim hallway, and Lucien felt his breath catch in his throat. Could this be the girl from the rumors? The mysterious beauty whose name had been whispered among the court?

He had heard of her, of course—the talented young woman with a knack for creating wonders with makeup, the one who had even caught the queen's attention. But seeing her in person was an entirely different experience. There was a confidence in her stance, a grace in the way she held herself that Lucien found captivating.

The realization hit him like a bolt of lightning: this must be her. The beauty in the rumors. His heart began to race, beating faster with every step he took toward her. He didn't know why, but an excitement—one he hadn't felt before—started to build within him. He was a teenager, after all, full of emotions he barely understood. And now, standing before this vision of beauty, he felt an overwhelming urge to make an impression, to ensure that she would remember him.

As he approached, Lucien straightened his posture, trying to exude the confidence and poise expected of a crown prince. Yet, as he drew closer, he could feel his hands grow clammy, his pulse quickening to an almost uncomfortable speed. He swallowed hard, forcing himself to maintain his composure.

When they finally stood mere feet apart, the maid beside the young woman immediately bowed her head in respect, and the girl followed suit, lowering her gaze. Lucien hesitated for the briefest of moments, his nerves threatening to betray him. But he steeled himself, turning his body to face her fully.

"Lift your face," he commanded, his voice steady, though he could feel the butterflies in his stomach fluttering madly. He had to see her up close, to take in the full measure of her beauty.

Slowly, almost as if time itself had slowed to a crawl, the young woman—Seraphina, he recalled—began to raise her head. To Lucien, the world around them seemed to fade into darkness, leaving only the sight of her face, inching its way into his heart.

He swallowed hard, feeling his heart thump against his chest, faster and faster, each beat louder than the last.

His palms were slightly damp, betraying the calm, confident demeanor he usually maintained with such ease.

What was this? A rush of unfamiliar excitement coursed through him!

Closer now, he could see her. She was standing there, delicate yet poised, her presence so radiant it made the hallway seem dull in comparison.

 His heart stuttered, then skipped a beat as his breath hitched. He had never felt this way before, never felt so—

In love? No, no, it wasn’t that. It couldn’t be that. He didn’t even know her! And yet, something in her eyes, the way she held herself, the way her face seemed to glow with a light that made everything else—

Scent? Was it her perfume, or was it just... her? He didn’t know. He didn’t care.

The prince’s mind was a whirl of emotions and thoughts he couldn’t quite grasp. He had spoken to her, yes, but what had he said? The words had tumbled out of his mouth, a blur of sound that he couldn’t even recall.