The grand hall of Valoria Castle shimmered under dozens of crystal chandeliers. The evening air was thick with the scent of roasted meats, spiced wine, and polished oak. Princess Elara sat at the high table, her fingers lightly tracing the embroidered edge of her napkin, though she hadn't touched her food.
It was the annual King's Welcome Dinner, a gathering of nobles from neighboring kingdoms. Elara's father, King Tharion, presided at the head of the table, smiling proudly at the guests. To him, these dinners were opportunities — for alliances, for trade, for appearances. To Elara, they were tedious.
She watched the nobles chatter and laugh, exchanging polite compliments and veiled criticisms. Her eyes, however, kept drifting to the newly arrived knight standing near the doorway, observing the room with measured patience. Sir Kael, she had overheard, was assigned as a visiting guard from the northern territories. He was tall, with dark hair neatly tied, and eyes that seemed to notice everything — yet revealed nothing.
Elara found herself watching him longer than she should have. Not because she was captivated, but because he carried himself differently from the others — disciplined, calm, and quietly confident.
"Princess Elara," came a voice beside her. She turned to see Lady Selene, smiling like a painted mask. "You seem… distracted tonight. The dinner is quite splendid, don't you think?"
Elara forced a polite smile. "Indeed, Lady Selene. The cooks outdid themselves." But her gaze returned to Kael. He hadn't moved, still scanning the hall as if he were calculating everything.
As the dinner progressed, guests mingled between courses. Elara found herself standing near the balcony, pretending to admire the view of Valoria's sprawling gardens. A soft cough made her glance up — Sir Kael was walking toward her, his gait measured, cautious.
"Your Highness," he said, bowing respectfully. "I hope the evening is treating you well."
"Quite well," Elara replied, keeping her voice steady. "The hall is… lively tonight."
He nodded, not intruding further, but his eyes lingered on her in a way that felt… observant, not impolite. She could not tell if it was curiosity or mere duty, but the faint flutter in her chest told her she would be thinking about him long after tonight.
Before either could speak further, a loud crash came from inside the hall — a servant tripped, spilling a tray of glasses. Gasps and murmurs followed. Elara's father's stern voice cut through the commotion, restoring order. Kael subtly stood closer, assisting with calming the situation, though without drawing attention.
When the hall finally settled, Kael offered a slight nod toward her and stepped back. Elara's heart beat a little faster than she cared to admit.
And just as she was about to turn back to the balcony railing, a whispered conversation from nearby nobles reached her ears: "Did you hear? There's talk of a rebellion in the northern provinces. Dangerous times ahead…"
Elara frowned, her thoughts twisting. The peaceful night had suddenly gained an edge of uncertainty. And though she didn't yet understand why, she felt a strange pull — toward both the danger hinted at in those whispers and the mysterious knight who had appeared in her life tonight.
—End of Chapter 1—