The World Cannot Know

Chapter 12

Prince Sebastian

It was strained. I tried to avoid it, to pretend everything was as it had been, but things were not the same between Matthew and me. The kiss from that fateful night lingered like a ghost between us, haunting our interactions despite our mutual decision to forget it had ever happened. The tension was palpable, a silent undercurrent that neither of us could ignore, even as we moved through the motions of our royal duties.

Tonight was the night of the grand ball, a celebration that had drawn noble families from every corner of the kingdom. The ballroom had been transformed into a vision of splendour: vast, glittering chandeliers cast a warm glow over the polished marble floors, and the air was filled with the soft strains of a string quartet. The grand entrance was my cue, a tradition of regal display meant to honour the guests and solidify the royal presence.

As I prepared to make my entrance, standing just behind the opulent double doors of the ballroom, I could hear the murmur of anticipation ripple through the crowd. The master of ceremonies, dressed in the finest livery, stood at the ready, a gilded staff in hand.

"Are you ready, Your Highness?" he asked, his voice respectful but edged with the urgency of the moment.

Before I could respond, a soft, familiar voice broke through the tension. "Sebastian, darling, must you always be so serious?"

I turned sharply to see Alice slipping through a side door, her lithe figure draped in an audaciously low-cut emerald gown that shimmered in the low light. Her eyes sparkled with mischief, and her lips curved into a knowing smile. Alice had always been a presence that both intrigued and unsettled me—a new friend who thrived on the fringes of court decorum, unafraid to push boundaries and defy expectations.

"Alice," I greeted her, my voice carrying a mixture of surprise and bemusement. "What are you doing here?"

She sauntered closer, her movements fluid and feline, her gaze never leaving mine. "Oh, you know me," she purred, her voice as smooth as silk. "I couldn't resist sneaking a peek at the prince before his grand entrance. Besides," she added, her tone dropping to a conspiratorial whisper, "I wanted to see how you were holding up. Word around the court is that you've had quite the eventful week."

I raised an eyebrow, attempting to maintain my composure. "Rumors travel fast," I remarked dryly.

"Especially when they involve you," she teased, reaching out to straighten the collar of my jacket with a casual intimacy that bordered on scandalous. "But you seem tense, darling. All these expectations weighing you down?"

"Alice, this really isn't the time," I began, glancing pointedly at the double doors where the master of ceremonies was anxiously checking the timepiece on his wrist.

"Nonsense," she interrupted, her tone dismissive. "There's always time for a little... distraction." She leaned in closer, her voice dropping to a sultry murmur. "You know, if you ever need to escape all this, I'm always just a whisper away."

I couldn't help but chuckle, shaking my head at her audacity. "You never change, do you? Don't you have Elizabeth for that"

She tilted her head, her expression one of playful innocence. "Why would I? The world would be far too dull if everyone behaved themselves. And Elizabeth has been scared off, from the last encounter we all had. "

There was a fleeting temptation to let her stay, to indulge in her carefree irreverence for just a moment longer. Maybe to get a certain someone off my mind. But duty called, and the eyes of the kingdom awaited me. I gently took her hands, lowering them from my collar.

"Alice, you know I appreciate your... unique approach to life," I said, my tone softening. "But tonight is important. I have responsibilities I can't ignore."