Sofia strolled through the palace gardens, basking in the serene atmosphere.
Suddenly, she sensed a presence behind her. Turning around, she collided with a pair of piercing navy blue eyes that left her momentarily breathless.
The man stood tall, possessing a striking presence:
Jet-black hair, perfectly and artfully messy.
Chiseled features that accentuated his luminous skin.
A strong jawline that seemed carved from the finest marble.
Sofia felt an inexplicable jolt—as if time itself had suspended. Quickly regaining her composure, she offered a polite smile.
"Excuse me, sir. I wasn't watching where I was walking."
His eyes crinkled at the corners as he returned the smile. "No harm done. Beautiful gardens, aren't they?"
Sofia nodded, still entranced. "Yes, they're lovely. I've been exploring them since dawn."
Their conversation flowed effortlessly, moving from the flora to gentle humor. Sofia felt an unusual connection, though she didn't dare acknowledge it. Just then, Emily approached them.
"Cable, perfect timing! I want you to meet someone—Sofia, my new butler. Sofia, this is my brother, Prince Cable."
Sofia's heart skipped a beat as she curtsied gracefully. "Prince Cable. It is an honor to serve your sister."
Cable's eyes narrowed slightly, his expression unreadable. "Sofia. Welcome to our household."
Later, in the palace library, Emily asked curiously, "Cable, what do you think of Sofia?"
Cable leaned back, steepling his fingers. "To be honest, Emily, I'm impressed. She is efficient, intelligent, and surprisingly... witty. She can hold her own against me, which I find intriguing."
Later that morning, while serving tea, Sofia overheard Cable admitting that he never hired a personal butler because no one could handle his "unconventional schedule and preferences."
Shortly after, in a quiet corridor, Sofia encountered Cable again. She was carrying a precarious stack of linens when she stumbled. Cable immediately reached out to steady her load.
"Allow me," he said, his voice low and smooth.
"Thank you, Prince... Cable," Sofia whispered. She looked at him curiously. "May I ask, why are you lingering in this particular corridor, My Lord? You seem distant."
A light smile played on his lips as he turned back to the window. "I was just admiring the view. From here, you can see the trees dancing in the wind and the people working happily in the courtyard. It's all so peaceful, isn't it?"
Sofia looked outside and felt a strange warmth. "You are right, My Lord. Everything is truly beautiful."