It was a sunny day, birds were chirping. The wind flowed gently with the fresh breeze of spring.
Princess Eirlys ran across the palace gardens, laughter spilling from her lips as her brother chased after her.
"No—no! That hurts, Loren!" she squealed as Prince Lorenzo grabbed her from behind and ruffled her hair.
Lorenzo, two years older, only laughed. His dark blue eyes sparkled with mischief, silky jet-black hair falling over his forehead. His fair features were so striking that princesses from every region whispered about him.
Not far from them, King Leon of the North stood among blooming flowers, carefully picking the best ones. His straight black hair moved slightly in the wind, his sharp dark eyes soft for once.
He walked toward Queen Amelia, who sat beneath a flowering tree, one hand resting over her stomach, five months pregnant.
Her unique eyes, one deep blue, the other glowing gold lifted to him as he knelt.
"Here, my lady," King Leon said gently, offering the flowers.
She blushed, smiling as she accepted them.
For a moment, they looked like a normal family. Not rulers. Not symbols of power.
Just parents and children enjoying spring.
Then hurried footsteps shattered the peace.
A royal guard rushed forward and knelt. "My Lord! The Royal Family of the Southern region, Helexia, has arrived!"
The laughter died instantly.
Eirlys froze. Lorenzo's smile vanished.
King Leon stood slowly. "They arrived… without notice?"
"Yes, Your Majesty."
A shadow crossed the king's face.
"We will come in a minute. Let them wait in the living room."
The guard bowed and left.
The warmth of spring no longer reached them.
The royal family of Calexia entered the grand living room moments later, their earlier joy replaced with royal composure.
Inside waited the rulers of Helexia.
King Draven Valemont sat as if he owned the palace, silver-threaded cloak draped over his shoulders, sharp grey eyes calculating.
Queen Mira sat to his right, elegant and unreadable.
To his left sat Princess Seraphina, calm as still water, silver-blonde hair flowing down her back.
Beside her stood Prince Cassian, golden hair catching the light, brown eyes observant and guarded.
"King Leon," Draven greeted smoothly. "Thank you for receiving us."
"You crossed my borders with armed escort," Leon replied. "This is not courtesy. Speak."
Draven smiled faintly.
"Helexia has reinforced the southern mountain pass. Fifty thousand soldiers now stand there."
Silence.
"Our navy controls the Azure Strait. Calexian trade ships move… only with our permission."
Queen Amelia's fingers tightened.
"This is not war," Draven continued. "It is simply the current balance of power."
Lorenzo stepped forward, anger flashing. "You threaten us in our own hall?"
"I offer a solution," Draven said calmly.
His gaze landed on Lorenzo.
"My daughter, Princess Seraphina, will be engaged to your heir."
Then shifted to Eirlys.
"My son, Prince Cassian, will be engaged to your daughter."
Eirlys felt the air leave her lungs.
King Leon's voice was cold. "You dare decide my children's futures?"
"I dare prevent war," Draven replied. "Refuse… and by winter your people will starve when trade closes. By spring, my armies will cross your borders."
The words were quiet. Certain.
Queen Amelia looked at her children, pain clear in her mismatched eyes.
Lorenzo's fists clenched.
Eirlys stared at the floor, her earlier laughter feeling like it belonged to another lifetime.
King Leon closed his eyes briefly.
When he spoke, his voice carried the weight of a crown.
"…For the safety of Calexia and its people… we accept the political union."
The words fell like chains.
Seraphina bowed her head gracefully.
Cassian's gaze lingered on Eirlys, curious, unreadable.
Draven leaned back, satisfied. "A wise choice. Peace always demands sacrifice."
But as the Southern royals prepared to leave, the four young heirs understood one thing clearly..
...Spring had ended.
And none of their lives would ever be warm again.
The palace garden looked different in the evening.
The bright joy of the morning had faded into soft gold and the sun dipped low. Lanterns were being lit one by one along the stone paths, their warm glow dancing over blooming roses and climbing ivy.
Princess Eirlys walked quietly beside Prince Cassian.
Two guards followed several steps behind, far enough to give the illusion of privacy, close enough to remind them they had none.
Neither of them had spoken since leaving the palace.
Eirlys kept her eyes forward, fingers lightly clutching the fabric of her dress. The breeze moved through her hair, but she barely noticed.
"I didn't think you'd actually come," Cassian said at last, his voice calm and low.
Eirlys didn't look at him. "I didn't think I had a choice."
He didn't deny it.
They walked a few more steps in silence.
"I won't pretend I'm happy about this," she said, finally glancing at him. Her voice wasn't angry, it was just tired. "Being traded like a treaty."
Cassian's gaze stayed ahead. "You think I wanted this?"
She studied him. "You didn't look surprised."
"I was informed on the journey here," he replied. "In Helexia, we don't get the luxury of surprise when it comes to politics."
That made her pause.
They reached a marble fountain, water shimmering under lantern light. Fireflies flickered near the hedges.
Eirlys stopped walking. "Are you going to be like your father?"
Cassian looked at her then — really looked at her.
The fading sunlight caught in her eyes, soft but guarded. She didn't look like a princess in that moment. She looked like a girl trying not to let the world see she was scared.
"No," he said quietly.
She searched his face, as if weighing the truth of his words.
"My father believes fear keeps kingdoms in line," Cassian continued. "I think fear just plants the seeds for rebellion."
Eirlys blinked, surprised.
"That sounds dangerous," she said softly.
A faint smile touched his lips. "It is."
The wind lifted a strand of her hair across her face. Without thinking, Cassian reached out then hesitated for half a second, giving her time to pull away.
She didn't.
His fingers brushed lightly against her temple as he moved the strand back. The touch was brief. Careful. Like handling something fragile.
Eirlys felt her breath catch not from boldness, but from how gentle he was.
"I don't want to be your enemy," he said, his voice quieter now. "Even if our kingdoms are."
Her heart beat faster, and she hated that it did.
"You don't even know me," she whispered.
"Then let me," he replied.
No arrogance. No royal command.
Just a simple request.
Somewhere behind them, a guard shifted, armor clinking softly — a reminder of reality.
Eirlys stepped back slightly, though her eyes stayed on his. "This doesn't change anything."
"I know," Cassian said.
"But… we can decide what kind of story this becomes."
The fountain water trickled between them, the night air cool and filled with the scent of roses.
For the first time since morning, Eirlys didn't feel like she was drowning.
And for the first time since arriving in the North, Cassian wasn't thinking about war.
Just the girl standing in front of him, trying to be brave in a world that hadn't given her a choice.
"Tomorrow," he said gently, "walk with me again?"
Eirlys hesitated.
Then gave the smallest nod.
"…Tomorrow."