"It's just one dinner, Ela , it's not the end of the world," Maeve reassured her. They were sitting on a bench in a small park. Eleanora had arrived with her brothers a few hours earlier. Most of the time, she had been playing with her nephew and niece, but in the end, Maeve and Liora pulled her aside, sensing something was wrong. They didn't know about the engagement, but they could tell there was a rift between Eleanora and her parents. They just didn't know why. And when they asked her, she finally confessed. She told them how her parents had once promised to support her in any studies she chose and to let her decide who she would spend her life with—and how they had broken both promises.
But she didn't tell them everything. She didn't admit the doubts that had begun to grow in her mind, nor the weight of responsibility her parents were piling on her shoulders.
As she spoke, Eleanora's gaze lingered on her brothers, who were playing with their children. With Daisy, they were chasing them around the park, the air filled with laughter and shrieks whenever an adult came too close. Caelum was only three, Vaspera two, yet they already watched each other's backs. Eleanora remembered how often her family had stood by her side.
"Lucris is a kind and handsome young man. Your parents would never choose someone unworthy of you. I'm sure they had their reasons. You know they only want the best for you," Liora added to Maeve's words.
The best for the kingdom, more like, thought the crown princess. But she didn't say it aloud. She knew they would argue—and honestly, they'd be right. But Eleanora wasn't in the mood. She didn't want to marry at nineteen. She wanted to finish her studies first, and free. Foolish and selfish as it might sound, she didn't want another surname on her diploma.
"And if you still don't like him after that dinner, then talk to your parents again—calmly. Just explain how you felt," Maeve continued.
"I've already tried that," the princess objected.
Liora scoffed. "And remind me, how many times have you actually spoken to him in person and had a real conversation?"
The princess lowered her head. Her sisters-in-law were right. She had never truly talked with him. It would be reasonable to give him a chance before deciding. But she didn't want to—perhaps partly to spite her parents. She wanted to prove she could choose for herself. She had chosen her field of study, even if her parents disapproved. They kept saying it was unfit for a future monarch and ignored the fact that she was top of her class. Or that, for once, she was respected for who she was, not for her title.
She loved that feeling of being unknown. Well—almost unknown. The rector knew, thanks to the Leis family, who had invented the maskerion: a device that could alter a person's appearance so no one could recognize them. The only thing that remained unchanged were the eyes. Eleanora used it mostly for school, but sometimes also for her small escapades.
"What are you talking about?" asked Daisy, breathless, returning from chasing the children. She wore a cream summer dress with an embroidered neckline, her hair pinned into a bun.
"We're trying to convince our future queen to go to one dinner with Vauclain," Liora replied.
"He still wants to see her after the ball? Now that's determination," Daisy said, surprised.
"Daisy!" Maeve scolded her.
"What? I mean it kindly. At least El can be sure he really wants her."
But what if he only wants the crown, flashed through Eleanora's mind. She knew it wasn't very likely—his family was nearly as powerful as hers, one of the four most influential houses in the realm.
Daisy stepped closer to her sister and took her hands. "Eleanora, what's the worst that could happen? It's just one dinner."
I will fall in love ,Ela thought to herself
"He'll kill me."
"Then we'll avenge you," said Edric, slipping into the conversation with Alaric. Vaspera was asleep in Alaric's arms, while Caelum rested on Edric's shoulder.
A smile crept across Eleanora's face. It was comforting to know her family had her back in every situation.
The crown princess nervously toyed with the diamond bracelet on her left wrist. Any moment now, a maid would arrive to escort her to dinner with Luceris. For this special occasion, Eleanor's lady-in-waiting had chosen a gown of white chiffon that floated with airy grace around her as she moved. The bodice hugged her gently and was embroidered with delicate flowers. A silver ribbon cinched her waist, adorned at its center with a small pearl brooch. The sleeves, made of the lightest fabric, were short enough to keep her comfortable, even under the palace's warm lights.
Eleanor focused all her attention on the bracelet, letting its familiar weight calm her nerves. She had done this ever since she had received it on her fourth birthday, the day the crown had chosen her as the future ruler. Her father's words had accompanied it then, and they had never left her:
"From this day forward, you are not only the heir of the Bleckwhite line but the future of Nyvarion itself. This jewel has been passed down to every future monarch of our house. Its diamonds match those of the crown, and at its center, you will see a tiny key—the emblem of our lineage, to remind you to whom your loyalty belongs, Eleanora Rose Bleckwhite."Even after fifteen years, her father's voice echoed in her mind."Your Highness," came a timid voice from the doorway. The brown-haired princess turned toward it. At the threshold stood a tiny redhead, barely taller than a ladle. Strange, Eleanor thought, I haven't seen her here before. She usually knew all the palace staff by sight—a lesson her parents had impressed upon her from childhood. "It shows you care to notice," her father had said.
"I've been ordered to escort you to the meeting with Lord Luceris," the girl stammered, her voice trembling. It was clear she was new."Wasn't Lady Hedda supposed to accompany me?" Eleanor asked, her tone polite but measured."She… had an urgent matter and asked me to step in. I've only just begun my training, so I apologize if I fall short," the girl explained, her eyes wide with both fear and determination.Eleanor noticed the name stitched onto the maid's uniform: Seralyne. An unusual name for a servant of her rank.
"Your Highness, shall we?" Seralyne asked.Eleanor nodded, though butterflies churned violently in her stomach. She straightened her shoulders and let the quiet determination she had carried since childhood rise to the surface. Tonight, she would meet Lord Luceris—and perhaps, a new chapter of her life.
Seralyne accompanied her to the terrace doors – the same terrace where she spent her time reading or simply relaxing on summer days, as it was the only outdoor spot that wasn't unbearably hot. Her parents knew this very well. Just this fact made the dinner even more unpleasant for her."For dessert is a cinnamon roll. Madam Hedda knows it's your favorite," said the maid, probably attempting to comfort her a little. Eleanora took a deep breath and nodded to the guards who opened the doors for her and let her in.
Inside, there was a small gazebo decorated with flowers, mainly blue orchids and white roses. In the middle of the little garden stood a royal walnut tree, hiding the best view of the city – the tree acted like a secret window. Officially, no one was allowed behind the tree, as it was quite dangerous, but the four royal siblings loved the spot, even though it nearly loomed over a cliff.
In the center of the gazebo stood a table with two black chairs. On one of them sat Luceris. He looked at her with his brown-green eyes, observing her movements, yet still smiling. His hair was like honey, tousled across his head, and Eleanora, despite her reluctance, had to admit he looked good. His green suit matched her eyes, and she was certain it was no coincidence."Princess Eleanora, I am pleased that you have decided to honor me with your presence at this dinner," Luceris said, standing to bow properly and help her sit.
"Pleased is on my side," the princess said, using a learned phrase and trying her hardest to keep it from sounding sarcastic."Would it be Bold of me to say that you look exceptionally wonderful tonight?" Luceris asked as he sat opposite her. Instead of answering, the princess began looking around for the waiter with the food. Luckily, he was just bringing them the starter, freeing them both from awkward silence. He placed plates on the table, bowed deeply, and stepped back to give them some privacy.
For a moment it was silent. The princess and the nobleman began eating, but soon Luceris broke the silence:"I know I might annoy you, your highness …" he began, but Eleanora interrupted him, "Well, of course, rightly so." Luceris's mouth twitched slightly, but he continued:"I just want to assure you that as long as you do not wish to marry me of your own free will, I will respect your decision. I have no other choice. With all due respect, I wish for my wife to choose me, not have it imposed by her parents. While I greatly value the judgment of the king and queen, I do not believe they know better what is best for their daughter than she herself does."The princess looked at him, curious and slightly shocked. Honestly, she did not expect him to say that – she expected him to talk about what they could achieve together, but instead, he told her he would respect her decision, whatever it might be."Thank you…" she whispered finally. Luceris just nodded. Suddenly, Eleanora paused – maybe he wasn't as bad as she thought."I heard you study, is that true?" he tried to start a conversation, but the princess went pale – she had an idea of where he might have heard it. It was always very secret, known only to the most loyal of the crown."Uh, you mean my self-study. At the moment, I'm trying to educate myself a bit more, without a tutor," she tried to escape cleverly. Luceris interrupted:"Yes, that's exactly what I meant… I didn't know you studied alone. May I ask what?"
Eleanora blurted out the first thing that came to mind: "The history of the Moon Nation and the Sun Nation." She mentally slapped herself – it was a very sensitive topic, especially given the ongoing tensions at the borders between the two nations. Only the most loyal members of the crown were fully aware of these delicate political issues. Luceris's confused expression spoke volumes, and so the princess quickly added, improvising:"As a future queen, I need to understand more history to make sense of current events and anticipate what may come. Of course, I know the basics, but I want to comprehend the details – why everything began, the reasons behind these conflicts, and perhaps even how to finally end these sufferings once and for all."Luceris looked at her with respect, but there was something more – something the princess had not yet realized."I am genuinely pleasantly surprised that you take such an interest," he finally said.
Then he gazed into her eyes, and a sudden, uneasy feeling washed over her, as if he knew something she didn't."You see, some believe this conflict can only be settled with blood—only when someone falls. That's why people say the king ordered the extermination of Noctaris… because their power had grown too great.""That's absurd," Eleanora exclaimed, indignation flaring in her chest. "My father may be many things, but he would never harm children.""I only hope you're not mistaken, my dear," Luceris murmured, a trace of sadness in his voice."Forgive me, Your Highness. I didn't mean to upset you. Of course, I don't believe His Majesty could be capable of such a thing.""Your apology is accepted."
The conversation then settled into a lighter rhythm, and the rest of the dinner passed with gentle ease. Luceris recounted the humiliation of his arrival—how he had struggled to dismount his horse and ultimately fallen. "And you know the funniest part?""What?" asked the princess, already giggling."At that very moment, your sister Daisy arrived—and she thought I was some clumsy thief who couldn't even get on a horse.""Sounds like Daisy," Eleanora laughed."Wait, so you're telling me the first person to 'welcome' you was Daisy, who assumed I was a failed thief?""Exactly. Not my finest first impression.""Certainly not," Eleanora replied with a grin. Curiosity nudged her further. "Was there ever a worse one?""Ehm… perhaps," Luceris admitted, scratching the back of his neck nervously. "But I'll save that tale for another time, Your Highness. If I'm not mistaken, cinnamon rolls are your favorite dessert—and it would be very foolish of me to keep you from them."He paused briefly, then asked, "White or red wine?""Rosé," Eleanora answered without hesitation."Then rosé it shall be," he declared. The nearby waiter nodded and hurried to fulfill their request.Luceris turned back to her. "Tell me, Your Highness, why rosé?""Because you didn't offer it as a choice," Eleanora replied boldly. Luceris raised an eyebrow, surprised by her audacity. He had heard whispers of the princess's defiant nature, but not to this degree. It startled him slightly, though he carefully masked it.
By the time the wine was finished and a few more outrageous stories were shared, it was late. They said their goodbyes and wished each other sweet dreams. Eleanora walked back to her chambers, the hall quiet around her. She reflected on Luceris—how he had opened up without asking for anything in return, how he shared his experiences simply to make her laugh. Gradually, she realized that perhaps he wasn't as bad as she had feared. She could imagine him as a friend… though whether anything more was possible, she couldn't say. Something about him still felt off, but she couldn't quite put her finger on it.
And then there was the stranger—the one from the ball, with whom she had spoken until dawn. The one she couldn't stop thinking about. The one she wasn't entirely sure even existed—if only because of his blue-gray eyes, a mark of the Moon People, and because the guards would never have let him past the city gates, let alone into the palace.
Outside her room, the guards assigned to each family member saluted her. She nodded politely and continued inside. Her gaze immediately fell on the paper and quill left on the desk that morning, forgotten when she went to the library. Originally meant for notes, they now had a far more personal purpose.She seated herself, ignoring the fatigue weighing on her. She knew she wouldn't sleep until she had sorted her thoughts. Without overthinking, she dipped the quill in ink and began to write: Dear stranger…