Warrior Love

Chapter 10

The day of the ball arrived with a flurry of activity. The grand halls of Vallis Castle were adorned with cascading floral arrangements, shimmering chandeliers, and banners in royal hues. Musicians played elegant melodies as nobles from neighboring kingdoms began to arrive, each prince dressed in extravagant attire meant to outshine the rest.

They had one goal in mind: to impress the crown princess — or rather, the queen.

Zara stood in her chambers, gazing at her reflection in the gilded mirror. Her gown was a masterpiece, a soft blush pink with puffed sleeves adorned with delicate crystals that caught the light with every movement. The bodice was fitted, accentuating her regal posture, while the skirt flowed elegantly to the floor, trailing slightly behind her.

Her hair had been styled in a half-up bun, reminiscent of a timeless storybook heroine. Loose curls framed her face, and atop her head rested her tiara, its gems gleaming like the stars she often confided in. Yet despite her breathtaking appearance, Zara couldn’t help but feel a heaviness in her chest.

She turned to Elara, her loyal maid and confidante, who adjusted the hem of her gown one last time. “Do I truly look the part of a queen, Elara?” Zara asked, her voice tinged with doubt.

“You look magnificent, Your Majesty,” Elara said with a warm smile. “No prince here will be able to take their eyes off you.”

Zara gave a faint smile but said nothing more. She didn’t care about the princes or their attention. The ball was her parents’ idea, not hers. She would endure it for the sake of duty, but her heart remained guarded, still recovering from past wounds and haunted by fleeting dreams of a golden-haired stranger.

As the grand doors to the ballroom opened, Zara took a deep breath and stepped forward. The gathered nobles turned to look at her, their conversations silenced by her presence. For a moment, the room seemed to hold its breath as she descended the staircase, every inch the queen she was expected to be.

But even amidst the sea of faces, there was one pair of eyes that stood out.

Unbeknownst to Zara, three figures stood near the edge of the ballroom, dressed as visiting royalty. Zephyr, Aether, and Dylan had seamlessly blended into the crowd, their godly forms cloaked in human guise. Yet they carried an aura that made heads turn.

Zephyr’s blue eyes locked onto Zara as she gracefully moved through the crowd, greeting her guests with poise. Aether elbowed him lightly. “She’s even more stunning in person,” he whispered with a grin.

Zephyr didn’t respond. He couldn’t tear his gaze away from her. In that moment, she was the only person in the room.

One by one, the princes approached Zara, each bowing deeply and introducing themselves.

“Prince Cassian of Lorithia,” one announced, his crimson cape sweeping behind him as he offered a charming smile.

“Prince Adrian of Valtoros,” another said, his polished armor gleaming under the light.

“Prince Dorian of Cyrene,” declared another, his voice smooth and confident as he kissed Zara’s hand.

Zara nodded politely at each introduction, her smile poised but distant. Their attempts to impress her fell flat, their words hollow. Her mind wandered, wishing she could escape the formalities. She glanced toward the far end of the room, where three unfamiliar figures lingered.

The three gods watched the introductions unfold, each growing more uneasy with every passing moment.

“What do we do now?” Dylan muttered under his breath. “They’re announcing their names and kingdoms like it’s a competition, and we’ve got nothing.”