Living Like a Mouse? How About a Lion?

A Pact Sealed Over Tea

The palace garden was quiet, the late afternoon sun casting a warm, golden glow over the cobblestone paths and lush greenery. I sat on a bench, calmly sipping my tea as the wind stirred the leaves around us. The air was peaceful, as if nothing had happened, as if today was just like any other day.

But it wasn't.

Beside me, Callisto, the infamous Crown Prince himself, was leaning back, his eyes studying me with a glint of curiosity and amusement. His posture was relaxed, but I knew that his mind was far from it. He knew. He always did.

"So..." he began, his tone casual but unmistakably curious, "I hear the queen is... unwell." His lips quirked into a smile, the kind that told me he was well aware of what I'd done.

Ah, here we go.

I took another slow sip of my tea, letting the warmth of the cup soothe me. "Is she?" I said lightly, feigning innocence. "How unfortunate. She must've had a bad cup of tea."

Callisto chuckled, his sharp eyes not missing a beat. "A bad cup of tea, you say? And here I thought you were the one with the perfect blend." He leaned in slightly, his voice dropping, "I know it was you, Penelope."

Of course he does.

I met his gaze, my expression calm and utterly unfazed. "And what makes you so sure, Your Highness? Do you have any proof?" My tone was playful, but there was a challenge hidden underneath. There was no proof. None at all. That was the beauty of it.

He laughed, a deep, hearty sound that filled the air between us. "No, no proof. But I know you too well. After all, only you could pull off something so... elegant." His words were laced with admiration, but also a hint of danger, like he was enjoying this little game as much as I was.

I smiled back at him, taking another sip of tea. "Well, then. Without proof, I guess it's just a mystery, isn't it?"

Callisto leaned back, shaking his head in amusement. "A mystery, indeed." He paused for a moment, looking out over the garden before adding, "You know, Penelope, I never expected to find someone like you—someone bold enough to stand beside me and... challenge me." His gaze flicked back to mine, sharp and full of intent. "I think that's why I like you."

Like, huh?

I smiled to myself. We weren't in love. Not yet, anyway. This wasn't some fairytale where we fell into each other's arms, starry-eyed and head-over-heels. No, this was something else entirely. A pact. A partnership forged out of mutual respect and the need to survive in this twisted game of power. But that didn't mean there couldn't be something more, someday.

"You like me?" I teased, raising an eyebrow. "How sweet of you, Callisto. But don't get ahead of yourself. This is still just a deal, remember?"

He grinned, his eyes glinting with that dangerous charm of his. "A deal, yes. But deals can change. And who knows... we might just end up liking each other more than we expect." His tone was light, but there was something in his voice that made me pause. Maybe he was right. Maybe this wouldn't just be a pact forever. But for now, it was enough.

We sat in comfortable silence for a while, sipping our tea as the sun slowly dipped below the horizon. The palace, the games, the scheming—it all seemed so far away at this moment. Here, it was just the two of us, no facades, no masks. Just us.

Callisto glanced at me again, his expression softer now, more thoughtful. "So, what's next for you, Penelope? Now that you're free, what's your plan?"

I shrugged, setting my teacup down on the small table in front of us. "Survive. Thrive. Maybe cause a little more trouble while I'm at it." I gave him a sly smile. "What about you? What's next for the crown prince?"

He tilted his head, considering for a moment. "Oh, the usual—taking down anyone who stands in my way, consolidating power, keeping the kingdom in line." He flashed me a grin. "And, of course, keeping an eye on my... daring fiancée."

Fiancée, huh?

I didn't flinch at the word. We were a public couple now, after all, ever since that little newspaper announcement he'd made. Talk about jumping the gun. But honestly, I didn't mind. It gave me protection, and in return, he got someone who could stand beside him and not flinch in the face of danger.

Seems fair.

"Well, then, Your Highness," I said, standing up and brushing off my skirt. "If we're going to keep up appearances, I suppose I should play my part." I gave him a playful wink. "Just don't expect me to behave like a noble lady all the time. You knew what you were getting into."

Callisto stood as well, a soft chuckle escaping him as he reached for my hand. "I wouldn't have it any other way, Penelope. Nobles are boring, after all. I need someone who'll keep me on my toes."

I rolled my eyes but couldn't suppress a smile. "Good. Because I have no intention of being anything less than myself."

As we walked together through the garden, side by side, I realized something. This strange, twisted partnership—this alliance born out of necessity—was turning into something else. Maybe it wasn't love yet, but it was something that could grow, something real. For now, we were equals, treating each other with respect and playing the game together.

And maybe, just maybe, that was enough.

No more running, no more hiding. I had a place beside the crown prince, and I wasn't about to let anyone take that from me.

Callisto squeezed my hand slightly as we walked, and I glanced up at him. His smile was genuine, and for a moment, I let myself relax.

This might just work out after all.

No, we weren't in love. Not yet. But who knew what the future would hold? For now, I was content with what we had—respect, understanding, and the freedom to be ourselves. And as long as Callisto and I stood together, the rest of the world could burn for all I cared.

We finished our walk, and as we parted ways for the night, I couldn't help but smile. Maybe this wasn't the fairytale ending everyone expected, but it was mine. And for the first time in a long time, I felt... free.

~~END~~

A/N: Thanks for reading this and I hope you all enjoyed this story as well!