In a land torn apart by war, you return to a homeland you barely remember, the place where your father once ruled as Prime Minister before sending you to America for safety. Now a successful doctor, you're called back for reasons unknown, thrust int...
After her magical dance with Lee, it was time for Kristine to present her gift to the queen. It was an elegant sapphire pendant that Lee had helped her pick out. It was a token of gratitude for the queen and Lee had guided her to the perfect choice, knowing his mother's tastes well.
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Taking a deep breath, Kristine walked toward the royal family. Lee followed closely behind her, for support. "Your Majesty," Kristine said as she approached the queen, offering her a deep curtsy. "I wanted to present you with this gift, as a small token of my gratitude for welcoming me back into the kingdom."
The queen was overjoyed as she opened the gift and hugged Kristine lovingly. "Kristine, how thoughtful of you," she said, her voice gentle. She unwrapped the box and smiled, admiring the fine craftsmanship. "It's beautiful. You have excellent taste."
Kristine glanced at Lee, smiling softly. "Actually, Lee helped me choose it. His help was invaluable and I'm very grateful for it." "He has been very kind and helped me get adjusted here."
Lee's face flushed slightly, caught off guard by the praise in front of his family and the assembled nobles. His father, the king, looked at him with newfound approval. "Lee, your thoughtfulness is much appreciated," the king said with a nod. "It's good to see you contributing so meaningfully."
The queen beamed with pride. "Yes, Lee. You've always had an eye for details. Thank you, my son." Happiness flickered in his eyes, a feeling of being truly seen. He nodded at his parents, then at Kristine, as if to thank her for making this moment possible.
Penelope's face twisted with frustration as she watched Kristine charm the royal family. The attention that should have been hers was stolen. After seeing this love that Kristine received, she suddenly stepped forward. Her face was marked by annoyance; her earlier smile was now a thin, tense line. In one swift motion, she "accidentally" spilled her glass of red wine, and it splattered across Kristine's beautiful crimson gown.
"Oh dear, how clumsy of me!" Penelope exclaimed, though her tone was anything but apologetic.
Gasps filled the room as the red wine soaked into Kristine's dress. Her face was not filled with shock and embarrassment, but she held her composure. Before she could respond, the queen swiftly intervened.
"Not to worry, Kristine," the queen said, her voice calm but authoritative. "We'll have you changed into something else. There's a lovely blue gown waiting for you in your quarters."
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She returned to her room, where the blue dress awaited her. It was stunning—a flowing, blue gown with delicate flower embroidery. She put on the beautiful gown and went back into the ballroom. When she reentered the ballroom, all eyes turned to her once again. This time, the nobles looked at her in awe. The gown accentuated her hourglass figure, and its color made her eyes shine.
Prince Claude, who had been speaking with a group of nobles, turned and saw her. She took away his breath, and he couldn't take his eyes off her. "Kristine," he said softly as he approached, offering her his hand, "you look radiant."
She smiled, accepting his hand. "Thank you, Claude."
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This time, her dance with Claude was different. As they danced, Claude's touch was firm, but his gaze was searching as if trying to understand the pull between them. Kristine felt the intensity of his stare, and for a moment, she wondered if she had misjudged him. There was something deeper beneath his princely charm.
Penelope, watching them dance gracefully, fumed in silence. Her eyes flickered with jealousy as she saw Claude, entirely absorbed in Kristine, barely acknowledging her presence.
As the night drew to a close, Kristine found herself standing near the balcony, gazing out into the moonlit gardens. She was still processing everything—the dances, the gift, the tension with Penelope.
She sensed someone approaching and turned to find Lee standing there, his expression softer than usual.
"Kristine," he said, his voice low. "I just wanted to thank you for what you did earlier. You didn't have to say anything about me, but you did. It meant a lot."
Kristine smiled warmly. "You deserve to be seen, Lee. You've always been in the shadows, but you're more than that. I just wanted your family to know what I see in you."
Lee hesitated for a moment, then took her hand gently in his. He lifted it to his lips and placed a soft kiss on the back of her hand. "Thank you," he whispered, his voice filled with genuine emotion. "I'll never forget this!"
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Kristine felt her heart flutter at the gesture. She hadn't expected this, but at that moment, she felt happy—a happiness she hadn't experienced in a very long time...
But as she turned to the ballroom, her eyes caught Claude's, watching them from across the room. At that moment, she realized the stakes of her choices and the weight of what lay ahead.
