Living Like a Mouse? How About a Lion?

Done being noble... and you?

The night air was cool against my skin as I strode out of the banquet hall, leaving behind the chaos I'd unleashed. It felt like a weight had lifted from my shoulders—finally, they'd seen the real me. No more acting like some pathetic, obedient noblewoman. No more pretending.

If only the air didn't stink of hypocrisy and desperation.

I didn't get far before I heard footsteps behind me. Not the delicate patter of frightened aristocrats—no, these were the heavy, purposeful strides of someone who wasn't afraid to follow. I didn't even need to turn around to know who it was.

Of course, it's him.

"Leaving so soon?" Callisto's voice cut through the silence, calm but laced with amusement. Always so smug. Always so sure of himself.

I didn't stop walking, didn't even glance back at him. "You should stop pretending to be the Crown Prince, Callisto," I said, my voice as casual as if I were discussing the weather. "Get to me when you're ready to drop the act."

He caught up to me in an instant, stepping in front of me, forcing me to stop. His eyes glittered in the moonlight, sharp and unrelenting. "And what act do you think I'm putting on?" he asked, his voice low and dangerous.

I crossed my arms and raised an eyebrow at him. "The one where you pretend to care about all those noble idiots back there," I said, jerking my thumb in the direction of the banquet hall. "You and I both know you don't give a damn about them. So why act like you do?"

He stared at me for a long moment, his expression unreadable. Then, without warning, he stepped closer, his hand reaching for the hilt of his sword. My body tensed, but I didn't flinch. If he wanted to threaten me, he'd have to try a little harder than that.

Go ahead, Callisto. See what happens.

"I could say the same about you," he murmured, his voice barely above a whisper. His hand didn't move from the hilt, but the tension in the air thickened. "You put on quite the performance in there. But was it all just an act? Or are you really ready to throw away your place among the nobles?"

I snorted, the sound harsher than I intended. "Throw away what? My place? My place has always been on the edge, dangling by a thread. And you know it."

His eyes narrowed, and for a brief moment, I thought I saw something flicker across his face—something like understanding, maybe even respect. But it was gone as quickly as it appeared.

"You can't hide forever."

He moved closer again, too close this time, and I felt the familiar brush of danger in the air. My heart pounded in my chest, but I wasn't about to let him see that. Not now. Not ever.

Nope. 

Not today, Your Highness.

"If you're so eager to see me for who I am, Callisto," I said, my voice steady despite the quickening of my pulse, "then you need to prove you're not just another noble playing at being royalty. I'm done pretending to be a noble. I want the same from you."

He froze, his eyes boring into mine, and for a moment, neither of us moved. The tension between us was suffocating, like the calm before the storm.

And then, just as suddenly, he smiled. But it wasn't the kind of smile you'd expect from a Crown Prince. No, this was a dangerous smile, full of mischief and something far darker.

 Here we go.

"I knew there was more to you than just a pretty face," he said, his voice a soft rumble. "But don't think for a second that I'm going to let you get away with challenging me, Penelope."

I smirked back at him, the adrenaline still pumping through my veins. "I wouldn't dream of it, Callisto. In fact, I look forward to seeing if you're up to the challenge."

Without waiting for his response, I turned on my heel and started walking again, heading straight for the carriages. I could feel his eyes on my back, burning into me, but I didn't look back.

Let him stew in it. He's not ready yet.

As I neared the carriage that would take me back to the Eckhart estate, his voice called out once more, sharper this time, like the tip of a blade.

"Penelope."

I paused, my hand resting on the door of the carriage, but I didn't turn around. Not yet.

"You can't hide behind your clever words forever," he said, his tone more serious now. "One day, you'll have to make a choice. And when that day comes, I'll be there, waiting."

I rolled my eyes, though he couldn't see it. Typical Callisto—always thinking he had the upper hand. Always so sure of himself.

But we'll see who has the last laugh, won't we?

"I'll be ready when you are," I replied, finally glancing over my shoulder. "But until then, stop playing the Crown Prince and figure out who you really are. Maybe then we'll have something to talk about."

With that, I climbed into the carriage, pulling the door shut behind me with a satisfying thud. As the horses began to pull away, I leaned back against the seat, letting out a breath I didn't realize I'd been holding.

Well, that went better than expected.

The adrenaline still hummed through my veins, but there was a strange sense of calm beneath it. I'd stood my ground against Callisto, and for once, I hadn't felt like I was walking a tightrope over a pit of vipers.

He thought he had the upper hand, but he didn't know me. Not really. And if he wanted to play this game, then so be it. I could play too.

As the carriage rolled through the dark streets, I allowed myself a small, triumphant smile.

Game on, Callisto. Game on.