The warm charity event transformed the campus in ways Amara had never seen before.
Strings of warm lights were draped between trees, glowing softly as dusk settled in. White canopies lined the open field, and the usual student chatter was replaced with gentle music and laughter that floated through the air like a promise. For once, the campus felt less like a place of deadlines and lectures and more like a world made for moments.
Amara stood in front of her mirror longer than she meant to, smoothing the fabric of her dress with nervous fingers. It was nothing extravagant, just a soft pastel gown that fell simply against her frame. She wanted to look like herself, not someone pretending to belong in Nathaniel Kingsley's world.
Her heart fluttered when her phone buzzed.
I'm outside.
She inhaled deeply before replying. Coming.
As she stepped out of her hostel, she saw him immediately. Nathaniel stood beneath one of the glowing trees, hands in his pockets, posture relaxed in a way she had never seen during meetings or interviews. When his eyes met hers, something in his expression changed, like the world had narrowed down to a single point.
"You look beautiful" he said as she approached.
The compliment was simple, not overwhelming, and somehow that made it more powerful. Amara felt warmth spread across her cheeks.
"Thank you" she replied. "You look nice".
He chuckled softly. "I'll take that".
They walked side by side toward the event, close enough that their arms occasionally brushed. Each accidental touch sent a small spark through her, unsettling and thrilling all at once.students greeted Nathaniel respectfully, some with obvious curiosity. Amara felt their eyes on her, whispers following in their wake, but Nathaniel never once made her feel out of place. He introduced her naturally, as though she belonged there.
As the evening progressed, they wandered between booths, sampling food, laughing quietly. Amara found herself smiling more than she had in weeks and with him, the world felt lighter.
"You're different tonight" Nathaniel said at one point, as they paused near a fountain.
She tilted her head and said Different how?
"Relax" he replied. "Like you're not carrying the weight of expectations".
She laughed softly. "Maybe because I don't have any tonight"
He studied her, his gaze lingering longer than before."I envy that."The honesty in his voice made her chest ache.
They found a quieter spot near the edge of the field, where the music faded into background noise. The lights reflected in his eyes, making them seem almost unreal.
"Amara" he began, then stopped.
"Yes?"
"There are things about me you don't know," he said carefully. "Things that complicate my life."
She hesitated, then nodded. "Everyone has something."
He smiled faintly, but it didn't reach his eyes. "Some things matter more than others".
Before she could ask what he meant, a slow song began to play. Couples drifted toward the center of the field, laughter softening into something more intimate.
Nathaniel extended his hand saying "May I?"
Her heart thundered in her chest. She placed her hand in his.
They moved gently to the music, not quite dancing, not quite standing still. His hand rested lightly at her waist, respectful, careful. She could feel the steady beat of his heart through the space between them.
For a moment, everything else disappeared.
She looked up at him, and he looked back, his expression unreadable but intense. The air between them felt charged, heavy with words neither dared to say.
He leaned in slightly, just enough for her to feel his breath.
Then he stopped.
Amara felt the pause like a held breath. She didn't know whether to feel relieved or disappointed.
"I'm sorry" he murmured. "I shouldn't have"
She swallowed and told him It's okay.
But it wasn't, not really. Because in that moment, something had almost crossed a line neither of them fully understood.
The evening ended too soon. Nathaniel walked her back to her hostel, the night quiet around them.
"Thank you for coming," he said softly. "It meant more than you know".
She smiled. "Thank you for inviting me."
As she turned to go, he spoke again. "Amara"
She faced him.
"This isn't just curiosity for me,"he said" I just needed you to know that.
Her heart squeezed painfully. Then what is it?
He hesitated, conflict flashing across his face. Something I didn't expect
She nodded slowly, accepting the honesty even if it left her with more questions than answers.
As she walked inside, Amara pressed her hand to her chest, trying to calm the storm inside her. She knew she was falling, even if she didn't know how deep.
Across the campus, Nathaniel stood alone under the fading lights, his jaw tight, his thoughts dark, because every step closer to Amara pulled him further from the life he was bound to.
And somewhere far away, the woman who carried his name as wife was preparing to return, unaware that the prince she married in duty was already losing his own heart.