Prince William

The grand hall was a flurry of activity as the maids meticulously prepared for Prince William's arrival. Walking in, his presence was magnetic. With his violet hair and golden eyes, Prince William was a striking figure, radiating an aura of refined elegance. He had a different kind of glow compared to Crown Prince Albert—where Albert's presence was commanding, ruthless  and traditional, William's was both mesmerizing, wise and enigmatic.My father, Duke Mackil, and I escorted the prince to the guest living room. The maids worked diligently, setting the room for our esteemed guest. The atmosphere was charged with anticipation, and for a brief moment, everything was silent. Prince William broke the silence with a charming smile. "It's an honor to be here and meet with you both," he said warmly. Turning to me, he added in his deep but gentle voice, "Princess Helen, you've become even more beautiful and elegant since we last met."Before I could respond, my father interjected. "Thank you, Prince William. We appreciate your kind words. The end of our engagement with the royal family has lifted a significant burden from my daughter's shoulders." I could see the corner of his lips rising in joy and at the same time it was a warning.The air was thick with an awkward silence. My father's statement was a clear indication that we had no intention of pursuing further royal ties. Prince William, however, remained calm and kept his smiling face intact. He chuckled lightly and said, "Oh, Sir, I'm sure Princess Helen is more than capable of handling any responsibilities with your support."I couldn't help but observe him closely. His gentle demeanor was clearly a mask for a more calculating mind.To break the tension, I said, "Prince William, I hope you are enjoying  the preparations we've made for your visit."He smiled and nodded. "I do appreciate it. I must say, though, I'm particularly amazed by your change in style. I remember when you used to wear those laced, pastel dresses."Without thinking, I replied, "Prince William, every lady has a girl inside her. Back then, I was just mimicking Clivat, my fiancé's mistress, trying to catch his attention. I wanted to stand out and make an impression, but those days are behind me. i now realized I should not try to be someone else but live wholly as myself and for myself"Prince William's eyes widened slightly, surprised by my candidness. The gossip had always painted Clivat as the pure, innocent lover while I was viewed as the vicious woman who came between two love birds. The shift in perspective was clear since the last tea party incidents.My father, sensing the need to move on, asked, "Your Highness, could you please tell us the purpose of your visit?"Prince William took a leisurely sip of his tea and responded, "Oh, Duke, there's no need to rush. I plan to stay here for a day and will reveal the purpose of my visit after I've settled in."My father's frustration was palpable, but before he could respond further, I noticed Lusav standing by the door. His eyes were locked on the prince with a mix of irritation and anger. The prince, noticing Lusav's reaction, smirked and commented, "Your guard seems quite loyal and protective."Lusav's annoyance was evident, but he remained silent. The Duke and Prince William continued their conversation, and I could feel the tension in the room.Meanwhile, the maids chattered among themselves as they continued their tasks. Their conversation turned to the prince's appearance."Did you see how handsome Prince William looks?" one maid remarked, her eyes wide with admiration."Absolutely," another agreed. "He's every bit as charming as they say. I would say even more charming than the crown prince"

"Definitely, what if our lady falls in love with the second prince." A maid shyly muttered, making all them blush. But then, one maid whispered with a mischievous grin, "No way, Lusav looks much cooler and handsomer than the prince. Why would our lady fall for prince when she have such a handsome servant."

The other maids glanced around nervously. "Hush! You shouldn't say that. If the prince hears you, it could be trouble."The conversation quickly shifted back to more neutral topics as the maids focused on their duties. Their fear of offending the prince was palpable, but their admiration for Lusav was evident.

As their conversation ended, I turned my attention back to the Duke and Prince William. Their conversation was winding down, and my father was wrapping things up."Your Highness," Duke Mackil said, his voice formal but warm, "our butler will be at your service and will lead you to your room. I hope you have a comfortable stay."He signaled to the butler, who stepped forward to escort the prince. We all stood up, and I curtsied once more, bidding the prince goodbye. As I walked away, I could feel a chill running down my back. I turned around and noticed Lusav's intense gaze."Lusav, why are you glaring at my back? Is there something you want to say?" I asked, trying to understand his sudden seriousness.Lusav hesitated for a moment before answering, "My lady, I'm concerned about why the second prince is here and why he's staying overnight at the Duke's residence."I took a deep breath, trying to keep my tone calm and reassuring. "It's not something you need to worry about, Lusav. It's part of our duties to host important guests, and the prince's visit is not our concern."I wanted to draw a clear line between us, to remind him of his place as a servant. Lusav's expression darkened, and his eyes looked unfamiliar to me, as though a shadow had crossed them. "Yes, my lady, I understand," he said, his voice colder than usual.As he walked away, I could sense his inner turmoil. His thoughts must have been racing.

*When will I be able to speak freely with my lady? I need power, I need influence, so she can fully trust me and rely on me for support.* Little did I know then that his obsession with me was deepening, shaping his every thought and action.

The rest of the evening was uneventful. I had dinner in my room, alone with my thoughts. After receiving the evening's report on the mall activities, I decided it was best not to engage further with the prince that night. The thought of his visit and the potential reasons behind it left me unsettled.Before I knew it, morning had arrived. Dad, Prince William, and I were gathered at the breakfast table. The maids worked diligently, serving an array of delicious dishes. Dad and the prince were deep in serious conversation, while I focused on enjoying my meal.I dug into my breakfast with gusto, not minding the stiff atmosphere. The prince's eyes widened slightly as he watched me eat so joyfully, unlike a noble lady who is always composed and elegant. "My lady," he said with a hint of amusement, "you seem to be really enjoying your meal. I've never seen you eat so happily."I looked up and gave him a cold smile. "Yes, I do enjoy my food these days."The prince laughed softly, his gaze lingering on me. "Haha, it's delightful to see you so pleased with your meal."As I continued to eat, the prince reached into his coat and pulled out an envelope. The room fell silent as everyone's attention shifted to the envelope. Dad and I paused mid-bite, our curiosity piqued.The prince's tone grew more serious. "This is the reason I'm here today."He held up the well decorated envelope that had a royal seal on it, its importance clear in his voice. "It's an invitation to the Victory Ball. We're celebrating our recent success of Duke Carter, and I'd like to invite you, Princess Helen, to be my partner for the event."In a swift, graceful motion, the prince stood up, walked over to me, and knelt on one knee. His gaze met mine with a charming smile as he extended the invitation. "Will you accept my invitation?" The ball wasn't just a party—it was a significant event that could have a lasting impact on my future. Now I had to decide whether to create ties with the royal family once again or receive punishment for rejecting the prince.