The morning sun bathed the palace courtyard in golden light, glinting off the polished armor of the honor guard. Viana stood at the center of the farewell procession, her posture regal, her circlet gleaming against her blonde hair.
As Crown Princess, protocol demanded she see Prince Rayne off as he returned to the Valendale Empire, whenever the King or the Queen wasn’t available. Her emerald gown fluttered in the breeze, and she clasped her hands to keep them steady, her mind still tangled from the balcony incident.
The Valendale delegation was a flurry of activity—servants loading trunks, horses snorting, and Rayne’s guards adjusting their crimson cloaks. Rayne himself stood by his stallion, adjusting its bridle with a casual ease that belied the weight of his departure.
His blonde hair caught the light, and when he glanced her way, his lips curved into that infuriatingly familiar smirk.
Viana kept her expression neutral, nodding to Arden as he reviewed the ceremonial itinerary. The court buzzed around her, nobles exchanging murmurs, their eyes darting between her and Prince Rayne. She could feel Joel and Reyes’s steady presence a few paces behind, their gazes no doubt dissecting every interaction.
As the trumpets sounded, signaling the start of the farewell, Viana stepped forward. Prince Rayne approached, his stride confident, his eyes locked on hers.
The crowd parted and she offered a formal curtsy, her voice clear. "Prince Rayne, the Kingdom of Elysia wishes you a safe journey and continued prosperity for Valendale."
He bowed, his movements graceful but laced with a playful edge. "Princess Viana, your hospitality—and your wolf—have made this visit unforgettable." His tone was diplomatic, but the glint in his eyes screamed mischief.
She straightened, fighting the warmth creeping up her neck. "We aim to leave an impression," she replied coolly, though her lips twitched. The memory of their accidental kiss flashed unbidden, and she cursed her traitorous pulse for quickening.
Prince Rayne stepped closer, lowering his voice so only she could hear. "You certainly do, Your Majesty. Tripping into me under the stars? Bold move for a queen." His grin widened, teasing, testing.
Viana’s cheeks flared, the blush betraying her before she could stop it. "I tripped," she hissed, her voice low but sharp. "And you’re lucky I didn’t push you off the balcony for that stunt."
He chuckled, undeterred, his eyes dancing with amusement. "Keep blushing like that, and I’ll start thinking you’re fond of me."
"I’m not blushing," she snapped, though her face felt like it could light a torch. She squared her shoulders, desperate to regain control. "You’re delusional, Prince Rayne."
"Maybe," he said, his tone softening, a flicker of something genuine beneath the banter. "But I’m not blind. You’re more than just a crown, Viana. And I’m not the only one who’s noticed."
Suddenly, the Love Percentage bar flashed above his head, showing its number on 35%. Her breath caught, the number catching her off guard.
Before she could manage to calm herself, Arden signaled the procession to move, and the moment broke. Prince Rayne stepped back, but his gaze lingered, searching her face as if memorizing it.
The delegation began to assemble, but Prince Rayne gestured for a moment’s pause, leading Viana a few steps away from the crowd. The guards and nobles watched, curious, but kept their distance. Arden, Joel, and Reyes’s brows furrowed, but they didn’t intervene.
"There’s something you should know," Prince Rayne said, his voice low, the playfulness gone. "About my brother, Arin."
Viana’s eyes narrowed. She’d heard whispers of Prince Arin, the exiled second son of Valendale’s Emperor, banished with his mother, the Empress, after a failed coup. "What about him?"
Prince Rayne’s jaw tightened, his hand resting on the hilt of his word. "He’s been stirring trouble. Financing rebels through slave trading—disgusting, even for him. He’s after my title, the crown prince’s seat. If Father passes..."
He trailed off, his expression grim. "Arin’s not just a nuisance. He’s dangerous. And he’s got eyes on Elysia Kingdom’s borders."
Viana’s mind raced, connecting the unrest at her kingdom’s edges to Arin’s schemes. "Why tell me this now?"
"Because you’re not just a pretty face with a circlet," he said, his voice firm. "You’re smart, Princess Viana. And if Arin’s plotting, Elysia Kingdom’s in his sights as much as Valendale. I trust you to keep your kingdom safe. And... maybe I want you to know who I’m up against."
She studied him, the weight of his words settling in. This wasn’t just courtly charm—this was a prince confiding in her, a glimpse of the man beneath the smirk. "You’re worried about him," she said quietly.
Prince Rayne’s lips quirked, but the smile didn’t reach his eyes. "Let’s say I’m not fond of surprises. Unlike some people who trip into them." He winked, the teasing returning, but it felt like a shield now.
She rolled her eyes, but her heart wasn’t in it. "Be careful, Your Majesty. Arin sounds like he doesn’t play fair."
He nodded, his expression softening. "You too, Queen of the Hunt. Keep those wolves ready."
The trumpets blared again, and Rayne stepped back, offering a final bow. "Until next time, Princess Viana," he said, his voice carrying a promise.
She curtsied, her blush fading but her thoughts churning. "Safe travels, Prince Rayne."
As he mounted his horse and the delegation began to move, Prince Rayne glanced back, his grin flashing one last time. Viana stood tall, watching until the Valendale banners disappeared beyond the gates.
The courtyard emptied, but her mind lingered on Prince Rayne’s words—Prince Arin’s threat, the borders, and the unsettling warmth Prince Rayne’s presence left behind.
Arden approached, his voice low. "He’s trouble, Your Highness. Don’t let his charm cloud your judgment."
She met his gaze, steady. "I’m not clouded, Arden. But Rayne’s not our enemy. Not yet."
Arden’s eyes narrowed, but he nodded. "Then we focus on the real threat. Prince Arin. And that wolf."
Viana’s hand brushed the circlet, the weight of her title grounding her. Rayne was a complication, but so was the growing storm at her borders. She’d face both, head-on, as Elysia Kingdom’s Crown Princess.