ee the future she had long envisioned unfolding before her eyes. As she sat in the sunlit dining

with a sparkle in her eye, glancing at

y tunic, stiffened at her words. He placed his napkin on th

tain composure, "did you ask for my conse

ing away a speck of dust. "Hans, don't be dramatic. You

as he leaned back, frustration

ing's voice-deep, final, cutting

ng heavy i

ther, disbelief written across his

union is sealed by word an

ld was a man who rarely spoke but whose word was law in and outsid

eath. "So when am I mee

king answered wi

rising slightly. "And you're only t

nterrupted smoothly, sipping he

r name, her family's history, not even what sh

noblewoman raised with elegance and grace. I've known her mother for

the tall palace windows. His

ou can't assume I'll fall in love with someone because he

e duty is planted. You may not see it

e couldn't. Because his heart a

rs, her laughter light as the petals in her hands. A commoner, yes, but full of life, wit, and tenderness. When she teased

us. She never bowed, never pretended. She challenged him, saw him, and love

ve had no pl

f-finished meal. The conversation grated against his ears. All he wanted

oils. Her gown shimmered like starlight, every stitch meticulously tailored by her mother's handpicked

was being considered as

pr

nt-every girl's dream. And y

rmance. She was being dressed up and presented like a porcelain doll on a shelf, pretty but vo

r room, her

e her? Did i

like a cage than a guide. She wasn't some perfect, docile bride-to-be. She was an artist, a visionary. Her fashion line was her true passion, her escape. In New York,

hat mattered

. Security. A future bu

n in the mirror and whispered,

, Hans's p

e other end of the line. Her voice was light, teasi

d, sinking onto his bed. "They're treatin

But we'll be okay. Just... meet her. Sa

rustration. "After this circus, I want

could that be,

ise. You'll h

But as the call continued, her laughter f

e any idea

ghter of Mother's oldest frien

stomach

when Hans would be bound to someone else. Someo

ally were a p

ted to believe in their love. To believe that they could overcome everyth

ir love

idn't

't ready to

t