Elowen's POV:
The royal gardens were quieter in the morning than they had been the night of the masquerade.
Sunlight filtered through the tall white arches that framed the central lawn, glinting off the marble fountains and the polished stone paths that curved between rose beds and trimmed hedges. Servants moved quietly through the gathering crowd, placing trays of fruit and tea upon small tables beneath silk canopies.
It was not a celebration.
Not quite.
Everyone knew what these gatherings meant by now.
Another opportunity for the Crown Prince to observe them.
To measure.
To judge.
And perhaps to eliminate a few more names from the Queen's carefully assembled list.
I walked beside Selene along the garden path, watching the other ladies gather in small groups beneath the trees. Some spoke softly with their mothers. Others adjusted ribbons or gloves, as if the smallest detail might change the Prince's opinion.
Selene leaned closer to me as we stepped onto the lawn.
"Another inspection," she murmured.
"That appears to be the case."
"At least the weather is pleasant."
"That will not help if the Prince decides to ask difficult questions."
Selene smiled lightly.
"You worry too much."
"I observe."
"Which is exactly why you worry too much."
Before I could respond, the soft sound of a staff striking stone echoed across the garden.
Conversations quieted.
Queen Isabeth Viremont stepped from the palace terrace and into the sunlight.
She carried herself with the same effortless authority she had displayed since the beginning of the selection. Her deep violet gown flowed behind her as she descended the garden steps, the silver crown resting lightly upon her dark hair.
"My ladies," she said warmly.
Everyone curtsied.
"I trust you rested well after the festivities last evening."
A murmur of polite agreement followed.
The Queen's smile deepened slightly.
"I thought the gardens would provide a pleasant setting for today's gathering. The court has enjoyed your presence these past weeks, and I believe it is valuable for my son to observe you in a more relaxed atmosphere."
Several of the girls straightened subtly at those words.
Queen Isabeth's gaze moved slowly across the garden.
"He will join us shortly."
As if summoned by the announcement, movement stirred along the path near the fountain.
Crown Prince Kael Viremont stepped into the garden.
He wore a dark riding coat today, the silver embroidery along the collar catching the sunlight with each step he took. Without the mask from the masquerade, his expression was entirely visible—calm, composed, and impossible to read.
The moment he entered the garden, the atmosphere shifted.
Some ladies turned their shoulders slightly to appear more elegant. Others lowered their voices, hoping to appear refined and thoughtful.
Kael greeted his mother briefly before moving through the gathering.
He did not hurry.
He never did.
His eyes moved slowly from group to group, studying conversations, observing gestures, listening more than speaking.
Selene leaned closer again.
"He looks like a general inspecting soldiers."
"Perhaps he is."
"Then we should stand straighter."
Selene laughed quietly.
Across the lawn, several girls attempted to catch the Prince's attention. A few succeeded for a moment or two, exchanging brief words before he continued on.
Eventually his path brought him closer to where Selene and I stood beneath a flowering arbor.
Selene noticed first.
"Oh."
Before I could ask what she meant, she was already curtsying.
"Your Highness."
I followed her example.
"Your Highness."
Kael inclined his head slightly.
"Lady Selene. Lady Evermere."
His gaze lingered briefly on Selene before returning to me.
Selene, sensing an opportunity elsewhere, brightened suddenly.
"I believe Lady Beaumont wished to speak with me earlier."
She looked at me with a quick, knowing smile.
"I shall return shortly."
And just like that, she slipped gracefully into another nearby conversation, leaving me standing alone with the Crown Prince.
I resisted the urge to sigh.
Crown Prince Kael spoke first.
"You appear less enthusiastic about these gatherings than many of the others."
"I believe enthusiasm is not a requirement."
"Perhaps not."
His grey eyes studied me carefully.
"But it is noticeable."
I folded my hands lightly before me.
"I prefer sincerity."
"And the others are insincere?"
"I did not say that."
A faint flicker of amusement touched his expression.
"No. You rarely say exactly what you mean."
Before I could reply, a familiar voice joined us.
"Lady Elowen."
Lord Damien Thorne approached across the lawn, sunlight catching the pale gold of his hair.
He bowed first to the Prince.
"Your Highness."
Crown Prince Kael acknowledged him with a short nod.
"Lord Thorne."
Lord Damien then turned toward me with his usual easy smile.
"I was hoping I might find you this morning."
"Good morning, Lord Thorne."
"I trust you recovered from the excitement of the masquerade."
"It was an interesting evening."
"I thought so as well."
For a brief moment, the three of us stood in polite silence.
Then Crown Prince Kael spoke.
"You seem to encounter Lady Evermere quite frequently."
Lord Damien chuckled lightly.
"The palace is not so large."
"On the contrary," Crown Prince Kael said calmly. "It is quite large."
The air between them cooled slightly.
Lord Damien glanced at me with a small smile.
"Perhaps Lady Evermere simply has excellent timing."
"Or perhaps," Crown Prince Kael said quietly, "you have made a habit of seeking her out."
I lifted my chin slightly.
"Lord Thorne has done nothing improper."
Crown Prince Kael's gaze shifted back to me.
"I did not say he had."
"Then I fail to see the concern."
His expression remained perfectly composed.
"Concern is not the word I would use."
"Then what word would you use?"
He studied me for a moment.
"Observation."
I exhaled slowly.
"Lord Thorne is simply friendly."
Lord Damien laughed quietly beside me.
"I am relieved to hear that my company has not caused offense."
And Lord Damien started walking towards his sister.
Kael's gaze flicked briefly toward him.
"Friendly."
The word carried the faintest trace of skepticism.
I felt irritation rising.
"Lord Thorne has been nothing but respectful."
Crown Prince Kael looked at me again, his grey eyes unreadable.
"Respectful men rarely reach for a lady's hair."
For a moment, I simply stared at him. "You were watching the balcony."
His expression did not change. "I notice many things."
My irritation sharpened.
"Lord Thorne was merely fixing a loose strand of hair."
Damien lifted his hands slightly in surrender.
"I assure you, Your Highness, my intentions were entirely honorable."
Crown Prince Kael did not respond to him.
Instead, his attention remained fixed on me.
"You seem eager to defend him."
"I defend fairness."
"And you believe I am being unfair?"
"Yes."
For a moment, silence stretched between us.
Then Crown Prince Kael spoke again, his tone almost casual.
"You lost something last night."
The change in subject was so sudden that I blinked.
"What?"
"A piece of jewelry."
My breath caught.
"My anklet."
"Yes."
I straightened.
"You found it?"
He tilted his head slightly.
"I may have."
Hope rose immediately.
"Where?"
His expression remained calm.
"Near the balcony."
Relief flooded through me.
"I would appreciate its return."
But the Prince only watched me quietly.
"I did not say I intended to return it immediately."
My eyebrows drew together.
"It belongs to me."
"Yes."
He seemed entirely unconcerned.
"That much is obvious."
"Then why keep it?"
Crown Prince Kael's gaze held mine steadily.
"Consider it… collateral."
"For what?"
"For your safety."
I stared at him.
"That makes no sense."
"It does to me."
Before I could press him further, Queen Isabeth's voice carried across the garden.
"Kael."
The Prince glanced briefly toward his mother.
Then he looked back at me.
"I suggest you remain in places where anklets are less likely to disappear."
With that, he turned and walked back across the garden.
Leaving me standing there—
Annoyed.
Confused.
And suddenly very aware that the Crown Prince of Valerion had something that belonged to me.
And he had absolutely no intention of giving it back.