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, athe 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.