The grand ballroom shimmered with crystal chandeliers and lavish decorations as Crown Prince Liam's birthday celebration unfolded. Sofia moved discreetly among the guests, her efficiency as the new butler masking her internal thoughts.
Suddenly, a vision of elegance caught her eye a princess with:
Warm golden skin glowing in the soft amber light.
Raven-purple and black hair cascading down her back like midnight velvet.
Emerald green eyes sparkling with genuine kindness.
The princess approached Sofia with a disarming smile. "Greetings, I am Arya Breloff of the Breloff Kingdom. You seem a bit out of place among these courtiers—are you a guest or...?"
Sofia offered a graceful curtsy. "Sofia Monarch, the new butler of Eldrida Palace. I am still adjusting to the intricacies of royal events."
Arya laughed warmly. "I know the feeling perfectly. My own palace protocols still baffle me. May I call you Sofia, rather than 'Butler Sofia'?"
"Please do, Princess," Sofia replied.
"Just call me Arya," she insisted with a sweet smile.
As they sat near the garden doors, away from the formal crowd, Arya asked gently, "Sofia, you've adapted so quickly... but what is your story? What was life like before the palace?"
At that question, Sofia's expression faltered, and a vivid flashback seized her mind:
A forest glade under a cold moon... Sofia stood alone, her piercing red eyes wide with terror. Her clothes were splattered with dark blood, and her skin was as pale as marble. She whispered into the void: "What... what happened?"
Suddenly, the sound of crunching leaves snapped her back to reality. From the darkness of her memory, a figure emerged—a man with a strong jawline, olive skin, and piercing blue eyes.
Back in the present, Arya introduced the newcomer: "Sofia, this is Ethan Slade, my trusted Royal Guard." Watching their comfortable banter, Sofia felt a pang of longing for such an easy connection.
Overwhelmed, Sofia excused herself, only to collide with Prince Cable around the corner. He was leaning against a pillar, his navy blue eyes fixed on her.
"Lost in thought again, Sofia?" he asked softly.
He invited her to drop the formalities and call him "Cable." As they talked, they discovered they were kindred spirits. Sofia shared her love for nature, ballet, and her training in self-defense. Cable confessed his weakness for sweets and his love for strategy games. In that moment, Sofia felt a sense of comfort she hadn't experienced in years—as if she had known Cable for a lifetime.