It was late when the party ended. The Grand Ballroom slowly fell silent, with only the dimming candlelight and the footsteps of servants busy tidying up. Chantrea walked through the long palace corridor, her gown sweeping the marble floor, her mind still preoccupied with the prince.
His gaze… his touch… why does my heart feel so uneasy since that dance? Chantrea clasped her hands together, trying to calm the persistent flutter.
But her steps faltered when she heard faint whispers from behind a large curtain at the end of the corridor. The low voices of two men were clear enough to pique her curiosity.
"Prince Leonhart is too easily captivated. If he continues like this, he will become a weakness for the kingdom."
"That's right. That girl, whoever she is, could be a threat. We cannot let her influence grow."
Chantrea held her breath. The words were clearly about her. She lowered her head, trying to slip away silently, but her heart pounded. Why... why are they talking about me like that?
Before she could turn, footsteps drew closer. The curtain was pulled back, and a man with cold eyes stood before her. His black robe flowed, his face sharp and calculating.
"Ah… so you heard." His lips curved into a faint smile. "Chantrea Crystal, isn't it?"
Chantrea was startled to hear her name.
"Who… who are you?" she asked, trying to be brave even though her voice trembled.
The man only smiled faintly. "Someone who wants to ensure that this kingdom does not fall into the wrong hands. Be careful, Miss Crystal. Getting close to a prince doesn't always mean you'll live in a fairy tale."
The words echoed in Chantrea's ears. Before she could reply, the man walked away, leaving her alone in the corridor that now felt cold.
Chantrea pressed her hands to her chest. She knew that from tonight on, her life would never be the same.
Meanwhile, Leonhart stood on a palace balcony, gazing at the star-studded night sky. But his thoughts were not on the glory or the war he had just won—they were on the smile of a girl in a red dress.
"Chantrea…" he whispered.
Yet he also knew that the feelings beginning to grow would not be a smooth path. Behind the palace, there were always shadows lurking.
Chantrea walked quickly away from the corridor, trying to calm herself. But every word the mysterious man had said kept replaying in her mind. Why am I considered a threat? I just met him tonight…
When she reached the palace garden, she stopped. There, under the soft moonlight, stood Leonhart with a silvery-blue coat over his military uniform. He seemed lost in thought but immediately turned when he heard Chantrea's steps.
"Chantrea," his voice was calm, but his gaze was full of concern. "What are you doing out here alone? It's late."
Chantrea hesitated for a moment to tell him what she had just experienced. But Leonhart's warm gaze made her feel safe. She looked down for a moment, then answered, "I just needed some fresh air… after all the cheers in the ballroom."
Leonhart gave a faint smile and walked closer. "Me too. Sometimes, those parties tire me more than the battlefield."
Chantrea looked at him, surprised by his confession. "Doesn't everyone there admire and adore you? Why do you feel tired?"
Leonhart stopped right in front of her, the moonlight reflecting in his sharp, dark eyes. "Because there… I'm always seen as the prince. Not as a human being who can also feel weary, doubtful, or… long for sincerity."
His words made Chantrea's chest feel both warm and heavy. She could sense the sincerity behind every word.
There was a moment of silence, accompanied only by the sound of the wind. Then Leonhart extended his hand, this time not to lead her in a dance, but just to gently touch her fingers.
"Chantrea… for some reason, I feel like we have known each other for a long time, even though we've only just met. Do you feel it too?"
Chantrea's heart raced. She wanted to deny it, to keep her distance. But her heart couldn't lie.
"Yes… I do."
Leonhart smiled faintly, then leaned in slightly, as if to ensure the words were just for the two of them. "Then, allow me to get to know you better. Not as a prince… but as a man who wants to know a woman named Chantrea Crystal."
Before Chantrea could reply, hurried footsteps were heard from the direction of the corridor. A soldier approached, then bowed.
"Your Highness, forgive the interruption. There is an urgent matter you must attend to with the royal council."
Leonhart's face turned cold instantly, and he nodded. He turned back to Chantrea, his gaze seemingly reluctant to let go.
"We will continue this conversation, Chantrea. I promise."
With that, he left with the soldier. Chantrea was left alone in the garden, standing under the pale moonlight. Her heart trembled with a mix of happiness from the prince's confession… and the warning from the mysterious whispers she had heard earlier.
Am I truly ready to walk by a prince's side? Or is this all just the beginning of a coming storm?