"Why are you hiding behind those curtains with your companions?" Cassian broke the silence between them, his voice low yet edged with curiosity. "Do you not wish to meet Nanny Joana and the others?" he added, tilting his head slightly as his gaze lingered on her.
"I only wished to rest in my room," Elira explained softly, her fingers fidgeting with the edge of her sleeve, "but my companions insisted on peeking at the guests attending the ball." She paused, a faint smile tugging at her lips. "Though, in truth, their intention was merely to look for handsome noblemen." A quiet chuckle escaped her, light yet knowing—and even Cassian's lips curved into a subtle smirk, for he understood all too well.
"And did you happen to find one?" Cassian murmured teasingly, leaning closer, his voice dropping into a playful tone that brushed against her nerves.
"No, I did not. I was too busy paying attention to—" Elira's words faltered abruptly, her breath catching as realization struck. In truth, the only reason she had followed her companions into the hall was to see Cassian—and Sylas—dressed in such refined attire, to witness how they carried themselves amidst the grandeur.
"What is it? Go on, tell me," Cassian pressed, a quiet laugh rumbling in his chest as he watched her closely. There was something endlessly amusing about the way her cheeks flushed beneath his gaze—so much so that it tempted him to tease her further.
"Ah… I—" Elira stammered, her voice betraying her as she struggled to form a denial, her eyes darting away.
Unable to restrain himself, Cassian stepped closer, closing the distance between them. "Were you looking for someone else?" he asked, his tone lowering, almost pressing her against the question itself. Though he already had a suspicion, there was a part of him—quiet yet insistent—that longed to hear her say it plainly. He wished to know… whether her eyes had truly followed him, whether her attention had been his alone. Was he merely a companion in her eyes, a friend… or something more? The thought lingered, unspoken, yet heavy within him.
"No… I was too busy watching both you and Sylas," Elira admitted at last, her voice tinged with embarrassment as she clasped her hands together.
For a fleeting moment, a flicker of irritation crossed Cassian's expression—subtle, yet unmistakable. The mention of Sylas unsettled him more than he cared to admit. He had hoped—selfishly—that her gaze had been fixed upon him alone. Yet he forced the feeling aside, steadying himself. This was not something to rush. If he wished to win her heart, he would have to be patient… even if, deep within, he longed for certainty.
"Perhaps we were simply too handsome for you, Elira," Cassian said with a soft laugh, masking his thoughts behind an easy smile.
"Indeed," Elira replied, nodding lightly. "It was my first time seeing the both of you dressed so formally. I am more accustomed to seeing you in your usual attire."
"Do you not wish to wear a fine dress, like the other noble ladies?" Cassian asked, a note of curiosity threading through his voice.
The question lingered in the air, and Elira fell silent. Her gaze drifted upwards, lost among the vast stretch of starlit sky. A loose strand of her hair slipped from behind her ear, swaying gently in the cool evening breeze. Her hair, as always, was tied in a simple bun, and she wore nothing more than a modest maid's dress—the sort reserved for days of rest.
From childhood, she had lived among the slums, crafting bracelets with careful hands just to survive. On rare occasions, she would travel to the capital to sell them, and there she would see young noble ladies adorned in exquisite gowns—dresses so beautiful they seemed almost unreal. Those fleeting glimpses had once made her eyes shine with quiet wonder.
"There is no woman who would not wish to wear such beautiful dresses, Cassian," she said at last, letting out a soft, almost wistful laugh.
"But you do wish it?" Cassian repeated gently.
Elira did not answer at once. Instead, she continued to gaze at the stars, her expression distant. "I do," she admitted quietly, "but when I imagine myself wearing them… it feels as though I do not deserve such things."
Cassian's brows drew together. "Why?"
"I am only a commoner," she replied, her voice light, though it carried an undertone he could not ignore. "Who am I to wear something that does not belong to someone like me?" She laughed again, though it rang faintly hollow.
"No, Elira," Cassian said firmly, stepping closer, his voice soft yet resolute. "You are more than beautiful enough to wear such a dress. In fact…" He hesitated for a moment, his gaze softening. "Even the finest gown would pale beside your beauty."
Elira turned to him, blinking in surprise—before laughter spilled from her lips, bright and unrestrained. "You truly know how to make a jest, Cassian," she said, waving her hand dismissively, as though brushing his words away.
"Yet it is no jest," he replied quietly.
"Oh? And what makes me beautiful, Cassian?" she asked, a playful hint of a challenge in her tone, though a faint blush lingered upon her cheeks.
"Your kindness," Cassian answered, his voice gentler now, almost hesitant. "And the way you smile… it brings me happiness as well." As the words left him, he turned his gaze aside, his eyes lowering as though shy of his own honesty.
Elira stilled.
For a moment, time itself seemed to pause. She stared at him, her heart caught between disbelief and uncertainty. To her, Cassian had always been her closest companion—her dearest friend. Nothing more. Or so she believed.
Yet for Cassian… it was entirely different.
To him, Elira was not merely a friend. She was the light that softened the burdens of his duty, the quiet presence that eased the weight of the crown he bore. Amidst the endless expectations placed upon him as crown prince, she was his solace—his happiness.
And now, in this fleeting moment, it felt as though the world had stilled just enough for him to speak.
"Elira, I—"
Fwoosh!
"Look, Cassian—fireworks!"
Her voice burst forth with sudden excitement, cutting him off as the night sky bloomed with dazzling colours. The sharp crackle of fireworks echoed through the air, illuminating the darkness in brilliant flashes.
Cassian's eyes widened slightly, realisation striking him all at once—he had nearly confessed.
Meanwhile, Elira rose swiftly from the bench, her face lit with wonder as she gazed upwards, captivated by the spectacle unfolding above.
Cassian watched her for a moment… then smiled, a faint smirk tugging at his lips. Rising to his feet, he joined her, his gaze lifting towards the shimmering sky.
Not yet, he thought quietly.
It is not yet time.
Before the fireworks had even begun, Sylas, Cassian's most trusted friend and the one who often handled his stubborn tendencies, was already searching for Cassian around the entire hall.
Earlier, the Empress had questioned Sylas directly—asking where the Crown Prince had gone. That alone was enough to make him uneasy. So, without wasting time, he moved through the grand party hall, scanning every corner, asking both nobles and servants if anyone had seen Cassian.
His concern was not fear for danger… but fear of trouble. He knew Cassian too well. Whenever he disappeared like this, it usually meant something the Empress would not approve of.
As he reached a quieter corner of the hall, he noticed Bea walking towards him, her expression distant, almost as if she were lost in thought, quietly questioning something to herself.
"Bea," Sylas called out, breaking her trance.
She jolted slightly. "Oh? Sir Sylas… how may I help you?" she replied with a forced smile, though her eyes still carried confusion about the companions she had been with earlier near the curtains.
"Have you seen the Crown Prince?" Sylas asked directly.
"I'm afraid I haven't… why?" Bea replied, her brows knitting slightly.
"Would you mind helping me look for him?" Sylas said, his voice lower now, calm yet urgent. There was no panic in him—but there was clear concern. He was not worried Cassian was in danger… he was worried Cassian might be doing something reckless enough to anger the Empress again.
Bea only nodded, and without another word, they began searching separately through the vast hall.
"I'll check this side," Bea said, pointing towards one corridor. "And you might want to check the other."
Sylas agreed with a simple nod, and they parted ways.
He walked swiftly yet quietly, his eyes sharp, scanning every movement. Then, in the distance, he noticed a young noblewoman dressed in a blue gown, her peach-coloured hair shimmering under the palace lights as she headed towards the rose garden.
Sylas frowned slightly.
At first, he considered ignoring it. He knew well enough that young nobles often slipped away to the garden for private conversations or hidden meetings. But something about it felt… intentional.
And then his instincts tightened.
Cassian.
Without hesitation, he changed direction and quietly followed her.
The young lady was none other than the daughter of House Valcourt. She had decided to take a quiet walk through the halls after hearing whispers that the Crown Prince often preferred solitude during gatherings. Curiosity led her steps towards the rose garden, hoping she might catch a glimpse of him.
As she moved through the peaceful path, faint voices reached her ears.
~"…Oh? And what makes me beautiful, Cassian?"~
She froze.
Her eyes widened in disbelief as she slowly processed the name she had just heard.
"Cassian…?" she whispered under her breath. "Wait… is she with the Crown Prince?"
A sudden thought struck her, and her expression changed instantly.
"That can't be… are they having an affair?"
Without wasting another second, the young lady hurried forward, drawn by curiosity and shock, rushing towards the source of the voices she had just overheard.
As the fireworks continued to bloom across the night sky, Elira stood transfixed, her golden eyes shimmering with every burst of colour above. One of her quiet joys had always been watching fireworks—each one reminding her of fragments of her childhood she could never quite let go of.
Beside her, Cassian remained still, yet his attention was not on the sky at all. His gaze lingered entirely on Elira, as though the fireworks held no comparison to the sight beside him.
"Wow!" Elira exclaimed softly, her voice filled with genuine wonder.
Cassian froze for a brief moment when she suddenly turned to him with a bright, almost daring angelic smile—one that made it difficult for him to look away.
"I truly love this wonderful night," she said, her eyes gently closing in happiness, as though she wanted to memories the feeling itself.
That simple expression, so pure and unguarded, struck something deep within Cassian. His breath faltered. For a moment, he forgot everything else—the noise of the celebration, the duties of the crown, even the world around them. In that fleeting instant, he thought that perhaps he and Elira shared the same feelings.
Before he could think any further, Cassian suddenly pulled her into his arms.
Elira's entire body stiffened.
Her eyes widened in shock as she realized what had just happened—the Crown Prince of the Highthorne Empire, the man she had always treated as nothing more than her closest friend, was holding her so tightly it was as though he feared she might disappear if he let go.
She could feel the warmth of him, the steady rise and fall of his breath so close to her ear and neck that it sent a tremor through her entire body. Instead of the distant sound of fireworks, all she could hear now was the frantic beating of her own heart.
"Elira…" Cassian whispered, still holding her as if he had no intention of letting go.
Elira remained frozen, unable to respond.
"I li—"
"WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON?!"
The sudden voice shattered the moment completely.
Both of them jolted in shock.
And just like that—
the world they had been quietly holding onto… came crashing down in an instant.