Chapter 1
Once, long before love took a tragic turn, in the sprawling gardens of the royal palace, bathed in the golden glow of a summer afternoon, a scene unfolded that danced between mischief and innocence.
Amidst the fragrant blossoms and trimmed hedges, a young girl darted behind a large marble fountain, her simple sundress fluttering lightly in the warm breeze. She dodged the gaze of the palace guards and maids with a grin.
Her name was Princess Victoria, and she possessed an energy that rivalled the playful spray of the fountain’s waters. Her ocean-blue eyes, mesmerizing as the sea, gleamed with mischief beneath her raven-black locks.
Victoria never followed royal decorum. She relished playful defiance, especially when outsmarting her attendants.
"Rules, rules, rules. I’m suffocating. For once, I want to forget I’m a princess and feel the wind in my hair without a dozen eyes on me," she mused, smiling.
The palace maids, thinking she was napping, were oblivious to her escape. Soon, they would be in a mild panic, but by then, Victoria planned to be far away.
Hidden behind the fountain, she peered cautiously, her heart racing with excitement. "They’ll never catch me today. I’ll make it to the town, blend in with the people, and maybe, just maybe, find something exciting—something real."
Her plan was simple. A group of maids would leave the palace shortly, and she intended to slip out with them. Successfully evading her guardians, Victoria soon found herself in the bustling marketplace, where the mingling scents of ripe fruits and savoury spices filled the air. She felt happier than she’d been in weeks, the thrill of her secret adventure lighting up her face.
Victoria moved gracefully through the market stalls, her eyes scanning her surroundings with curiosity and glee. She ducked behind a stack of wooden crates filled with oranges, giggling softly to herself. Thoughts of her father’s reaction briefly crossed her mind, but she pushed them away.
"Father will be furious when he finds out. But maybe he won’t. Maybe, for once, I can just be me, without the crown, without the titles."
As she peeked out from her hiding place, she noticed a boy, not much older than herself, with golden hair and a calm yet intriguing presence. His light blue eyes met hers for a brief moment before he ducked behind a nearby cart of colourful fabrics.
Intrigued by the quiet confidence in his demeanour, Victoria’s curiosity piqued. She watched him, sensing a kindred spirit in this stranger.
Before she could ponder further, the sight of palace guards approaching sent a jolt of panic through her. Her eyes widened, and without thinking, she whispered to the boy, “Hide me.”
Startled, the boy glanced at her but didn’t flee. Instead, his expression turned wary, as if debating whether to trust her. Despite his hesitation, Victoria sensed a shared desire for freedom.
She crouched beside him, her attention fully on him rather than the approaching guards.
“You’re handsome,” she remarked, studying his face. “Mother says Papa is handsome too, though I don’t see it in him anymore.” she said with a disappointed pout.
The boy remained silent, merely observing her. Victoria’s gaze flickered to the street where the maids could pass at any moment.
“Why are you running away?” he finally asked, his voice soft.
“Don’t be boring,” she warned, tilting her head slightly, her small nose reddening from the cool air. He found the gesture oddly endearing and smiled faintly.
“Where are you from? What princess are you?” he asked, his curiosity evident.
Her eyes narrowed, and she frowned playfully. “You must be from another kingdom if you don’t know me,” she huffed. “I shouldn’t be seen with you.”
As she stood to leave, he panicked, grabbing her wrist. She turned to him, her short hair swaying with the movement, but he quickly let go, as if her touch burned him.
“You’re right,” she said with a grin. “No one knows me outside the palace.”
“I’m Victoria,” she introduced herself, her smile warm. “Why are you hiding?”
The boy hesitated but eventually spoke. “I won’t hurt you,” he said quietly. Victoria frowned. Who said anything about harm?
She found herself trusting him, despite the mystery that clung to him like a shadow. His gaze wandered to the busy market around them. “I... I just needed a break from everything.”
'Is she really a princess?' he wondered. 'She doesn’t act like one. She’s different—real. Not like the others at court with their airs and titles.' Lucien thought, surprised by her behaviour.
Victoria nodded as if understanding. Despite their differences, they both craved a break from their lives—hers bound by royal duties, his by something she didn’t yet know.
Together, they remained hidden, watching the lively market unfold before them. Victoria felt a connection with the golden-haired boy—a shared need for sanctuary in this chaotic world.
The air smelled of freshly baked bread, mixed with the salty sea breeze. It exhilarated her, making her feel alive.
“This is what I’ve been missing," she thought rebelliously. "Real people, real lives. I could stay here forever, but I know I can’t. I have duties... but for now, I can pretend.”
They spent the next moments exploring the market’s offerings, sharing stolen glances and brief conversations. Yet beneath Victoria’s playful exterior, a knot of worry tightened in her stomach.
As they hid behind crates of ripe fruit, sharing quiet laughter, the boy handed her a piece of fruit, which they ate in silence.
“Victoria!” a voice called. Her heart skipped a beat. “Where are you?”
The palace guards were close, their voices laced with frustration and concern.
“Princess Victoria, please come out,” one of them growled. “It’s dangerous out here.”
As the sun began to set, casting a golden hue over the market, Victoria knew it was time to return. “We should go back,” she murmured reluctantly. Her absence would cause a stir.
The boy nodded but seemed just as unwilling to part ways. She emerged from their hiding place, her heart heavy with the knowledge that this brief taste of freedom was ending.
As she rejoined her attendants, they fussed over her with concern. “Your Highness, we were worried.”
Victoria smiled gently. “I’m fine. Let’s go back.”
Before she left, she glanced back at the boy, still hiding in the shadows, his expression unreadable. Their fleeting connection lingered in her heart, a memory of a stolen moment of freedom.
