'A Princess and a Commoner: Star Crossed Lovers'

In The Eyes Of Chaos

(ISADORA'S POV)

The ballroom glittered under the chandeliers, every corner filled with laughter, music, and the clinking of glasses. My father, ever the king, stood proudly at the head of the room, overseeing the celebration. This was it—the ball that would solidify the union between Julian and me. The guests smiled, nodding approvingly, as if the marriage was already set in stone.

Julian had returned earlier in the day, all charm and confidence, but we hadn't spoken much about the wedding. It was as if my father and I had silently agreed to keep things civil—avoid the chaos of earlier events. On the surface, everything appeared perfect, but beneath the laughter, the layers of gold and silk, a storm was brewing.

Julian extended his hand, leading me to the dance floor. "You look stunning tonight, Isadora," he murmured, his voice warm and kind. He was everything a prince should be. We moved in sync with the music, his steps smooth and graceful, the entire room watching us as if we were some perfect picture of royal unity.

But as I twirled, catching a glimpse of the crowd, my heart skipped a beat. At the far edge of the room, near the grand buffet table, stood Gabriel. His expression was unreadable, but his eyes... they never left me. My chest tightened. He wasn't supposed to be here. I knew he'd been let out of the dungeon under strict supervision—he was the royal baker after all—but seeing him now felt like a shock to my system.

Julian pulled me close, his breath brushing my ear. "They're all here for us," he whispered. The crowd murmured in approval, eyes sparkling as if we were already married, but I barely heard them. My mind kept drifting to Gabriel, standing among the staff, carefully watching us.

A flicker of jealousy crossed his face when Julian held me just a little closer, his hand resting on the small of my back. Something about Gabriel's jealousy, the way his eyes darkened ever so slightly, made my heart ache. I was torn. With Julian, everything was as it was supposed to be—royalty marrying royalty, a perfect match for the kingdom. And yet, there was Gabriel, the commoner who'd turned my world upside down with just one look. His gaze made me feel alive, igniting a spark in me that I couldn't ignore.

As Julian spun me around, I found myself hesitating. My smile faltered, my steps slowed. What am I doing? I thought. I glanced at Gabriel again, this time catching his eye. He looked away quickly, busying himself with trays of food, but I knew he felt it too—the pull between us, the undeniable connection that wouldn't just disappear.

The music slowed, and Julian leaned in, his voice tender. "You seem distracted, my love. Everything alright?"

I nodded, forcing a smile. "Of course," I lied. My heart wasn't with him, not really. How could it be, when Gabriel stood only feet away, watching me with the same longing that mirrored my own? Julian was everything I was supposed to want, yet the more I felt for him, the more confused I became about my feelings for Gabriel.

The night felt suffocating.

The ball carried on, each song feeling like an eternity as I danced with Julian, my father's approving smile etched in the back of my mind.

As the music crescendoed, and the ballroom twirled in rhythm, I felt a shift in the air. Something was coming, something unsettling, but I couldn't place it. I brushed the feeling aside, trying to focus on Julian, who was whispering something in my ear—something about how the kingdom was lucky to have us. But I couldn't concentrate. Gabriel's gaze had hooked me, pulling me into a silent war within myself.

Suddenly, the ground shook beneath us.

A deafening boom shattered the ballroom's fragile peace, followed by a thundering crash outside the grand walls. Gasps echoed across the room as the chandeliers trembled, sending shards of glass raining down. The music stopped abruptly, musicians standing frozen in shock. Another tremor. Then, the unmistakable sound of a cannonball slicing through the air.

"Get down!" someone screamed.

Panic erupted.

Julian instinctively grabbed my arm, pulling me down to the floor. "Stay close!" he urged, his voice steady amid the chaos. I felt a rush of safety in his grip, a sense of calm that was quickly overshadowed by the fear surrounding us. I could hear the gasps and shouts of the crowd, the chaos swirling like a tempest, but in that moment, all I could think was that I was safe with him. I wanted to stay in this moment, but the reality of the situation gnawed at me, reminding me of Gabriel's presence.

"Look!" I shouted, pointing toward the windows as another blast rattled the palace. I was caught between the chaos and Julian's protective presence, my heart racing. The sight of debris flying outside only added to the urgency of the moment.

"Everyone evacuate!" King Dale's voice boomed, filled with authority despite the confusion. But as he turned to lead the way, he stumbled, his face turning pale before collapsing to the floor, unconscious.

"Father!" I gasped, my eyes wide with shock. A few guards rushed to his side, panic rising in their voices.

In the midst of the chaos, I caught a glimpse of Gabriel pushing through the crowd. His determination was palpable, but the throng of people held him back, dragging him toward the exit like a tide. I reached out, desperate to connect with him, but the distance between us was too much.

"Isadora!" Gabriel shouted, his voice barely audible over the panic.

Our eyes met for the briefest moment, and without thinking, I ran toward him, weaving through the chaos, desperate to reach him. As I got closer, a guard grabbed my arm. "Princess, you need to go!"

"No!" I shouted, trying to shake him off. "I need to—"

Gabriel rushed forward, pushing through the crowd toward me, his eyes burning with determination. "We need to get out of here!" he shouted over the noise, but before we could move, another explosion rocked the hall, and the force of it sent us both stumbling. The guard pulled me back harder, trying to drag me away, and Gabriel's grip slipped.

"No, Gabriel!" I screamed, trying to hold on, but the chaos surged around us. People were running, shoving, the room filling with dust and screams. My fingers slipped from his as the guard yanked me backward. We held on, our hands clinging desperately, but the world was tearing us apart. Slowly, painfully, our fingers slid away, until just the tips of our hands touched.

And then nothing.

Gabriel's hand was gone, swallowed by the panicked crowd as the guard dragged me toward the exit.

"Gabriel!" I cried, my heart tearing in two as I was pulled farther and farther away, helpless to do anything but watch as the chaos engulfed him.

Just as I thought the chaos couldn't get any worse, an explosive sound echoed from outside the palace. It rattled the windows and sent a wave of panic through the crowd.

"Duck!" Julian shouted, and I instinctively dropped to the ground, feeling a rush of adrenaline coursing through me. In that moment of fear, I felt a strange sense of safety—his presence enveloped me like a shield. Oh my gosh, what is happening? I thought as I glanced around, my heart pounding in my chest. I was torn between my desire for Julian's protection and the longing I felt for Gabriel.

"Everyone, get to safety!" the guards yelled, and the room erupted into a frenzy. I couldn't tear my eyes away from the chaos around me. People were shouting, running for the exits, and I could feel my heart race faster with every explosion.

"Isadora, come on!" Julian shouted, pulling me to my feet as he shielded me with his body. I felt a surge of gratitude, knowing he would do everything he could to protect me in this moment of uncertainty. But as I looked around, the beauty of the ballroom was fading, replaced by dust and panic.

Another loud boom echoed through the air, and I glanced back at Gabriel, who was fighting against the tide of people. Our eyes locked, a moment of connection amidst the chaos, but before I could call out to him, I was swept away by the crowd, my heart aching at the distance between us.

"Stay close!" Julian shouted again, but the distance felt insurmountable.

In a final, desperate move, I turned back to catch one last glimpse of Gabriel. But before I could reach him, another explosion rocked the hall, sending a wave of heat and noise crashing over us.

"Get out!" someone screamed, and the fear was palpable. As the chaos enveloped us, I felt the weight of my heart's choices bearing down on me, knowing that the night I had envisioned was shattering before my eyes.