CHAPTER 1
FREYA'S POV
It’s a lovely day in July. After a long, cold spring, the cloudless blue sky marked the official start of summer here in the city. The warm breeze danced on my skin as the capital of the Trouwyth Eliades Kingdom basked in the golden light — a perfect summer day.
Despite being exhausted from work, I walked with a cheerful spirit, a light bounce in my steps as I explored the bustling city streets. I came to the capital today just to relax and have some fun.
“My Lady, where are we going next?” Amber asked, trailing beside me.
Amber is the maid Father assigned to accompany me. We’ve been walking for hours now, enjoying the energy of the crowd and the city’s lively rhythm.
“Well… let’s go shopping. Let’s buy whatever we like,” I replied with a wide grin.
We continued strolling along the roadside, peering through storefront windows, until the sound of distant cheers caught my attention. A noise — loud and eager — rippled through the street ahead.
“My Lady, please be careful,” Amber said, concerned, but curiosity pushed my feet forward. I didn’t stop.
I gently pushed my way through a crowd gathered along the edge of the street, murmuring apologies as I moved forward to get a better view.
A red carriage slowly rolled down the road, accompanied by dozens of royal guards in armor. Riding alongside the carriage was a man dressed in royal attire, his crown gleaming under the sunlight as he sat tall atop his horse. Handsome. Regal. Obviously the Crown Prince.
Oh! Of course — today is the Crown Prince’s wedding. How could I forget?
“The Crown Prince’s wedding is truly grand,” someone in the crowd said dreamily.
“Yes, and the Crown Princess is so beautiful. They look perfect together,” another person replied.
The crowd cheered, full of admiration and excitement for the royal couple. The joy was contagious — though I just watched silently as the carriage passed. I hadn’t expected this level of military escort. They really weren’t holding back for this celebration.
“MOVE!” a deep voice suddenly barked from somewhere nearby, startling me. I turned toward the sound.
A man in Royal Army uniform sat on a dark horse, blocking the path of the royal procession. The carriage came to a sudden halt as the man’s horse stepped directly in front of it.
Confusion spread through the crowd like wildfire.
“Who is that?”
“Can’t he see the Crown Prince is getting married? Step aside!” one of the guards shouted.
I leaned forward, my curiosity rising. Who *is* this man? And why would he dare to interrupt the royal wedding?
“Is he trying to snatch the bride?” someone in the crowd gasped, appalled. “How dare he!”
The window of the red carriage slid open, revealing the Crown Princess’s face. She looked out, her expression unreadable.
“Get out of the way!” a guard ordered.
But the man looked furious. He dismounted with a powerful movement, landing right in front of the carriage.
“Your Royal Highness!” one of the guards called out, alarmed.
The Crown Prince raised his hand calmly. “Don’t move,” he commanded, halting the guards.
The maids near the carriage looked terrified.
“Protect the Crown Princess!” one of them shouted, her voice trembling.
The man’s cold gaze fell on them. “Step aside. I’m taking her with me. *Today*,” he declared with absolute certainty.
Gasps echoed. I could barely believe what I was witnessing.
Finally, the Crown Princess stepped out of the carriage, her face calm and elegant.
“Neville,” she said gently.
So his name is Neville? That softened look on his face… this must be someone from her past.
“Lingyan,” he breathed, staring at her like she was the only one in the world.
He walked slowly to her, and when he reached her, he took her hand — gently, reverently — as if it were made of glass.
“They forced you, didn’t they?” Neville asked, pain thick in his voice. “Come with me. I’ll take you away.”
But Lingyan pulled her hand back.
“It’s my choice to become Crown Princess,” she said quietly. “Forget me, Neville. We shall never see each other again.”
Neville’s expression twisted in anguish. “Forget you?” he whispered. “We’ve known each other since childhood. How could I forget?”
He paused, then said, “Just one thing… tell me honestly: Have you ever had a crush on me?”
The Crown Princess stood silent, unable to speak.
Suddenly, without warning, the Crown Prince scooped Lingyan up and lifted her onto his horse.
“Your Royal Highness, let her go!” Neville shouted furiously.
But the Crown Prince just laughed — not kindly, but with smug amusement. “Lingyan, it’s your choice,” he said, turning to her. “Whom do you want to go with?”
Lingyan covered her mouth with her sleeve, her voice muffled. “Neville, your mother isn’t the Empress. You have no background. Don’t blame me for choosing a better future. I need the Crown Prince to survive in this world.”
Wow. So Neville is also a prince? Now things just got interesting.
I turned my gaze to Neville — pain was written all over his face.
“…I see,” Neville said bitterly.
The Crown Prince chuckled darkly. “From now on, we’re strangers. Let’s pretend we never knew each other.”
Neville smirked. “Charles, you look truly pathetic today,” he said coldly.
But the Crown Prince only laughed louder. “I’ll take everything you love, Brother!” he declared.
So the Crown Prince and Neville are brothers? This is starting to sound like a royal drama I never asked to be part of.
“The Crown Prince is so arrogant,” I whispered to Amber.
She tugged on my sleeve anxiously. “My Lady, please, keep your voice down.”
“He’s looking over here!” someone behind me shouted.
I turned — and my heart skipped a beat.
Neville was walking straight toward me.
“What—?”
Before I could even react, he grabbed me by the collar and— tsup.
HE KISSED ME.
My eyes went wide. His eyes were closed, and his lips — soft, warm — pressed against mine with unexpected gentleness.
What the actual hell? I was just passing by!
The kiss was so tender I almost kissed him back… but thankfully, he pulled away just in time.
I stood there frozen, my mind blank. I couldn’t move. I couldn’t even breathe.
He brought a finger to his lips, as if to imprint the moment in his memory.
“My Lady…” Amber said behind me, stunned.
Tears welled in my eyes. My *first kiss*. Stolen. By some stranger caught in royal heartbreak. I wanted to punch him so badly.
The Crown Prince and Crown Princess were glaring at us, their faces dark with rage.
Neville turned toward them.
“From now on, she’s the one I like,” he announced loudly. “Why don’t *you* marry her instead?”
WHAT?! Is he insane!?
The Crown Prince scoffed. “I’m good. You can keep her,” he replied dryly. “Let’s go.”
“Yes, Your Highness!” the guards shouted, and the procession resumed.
And just like that, they left me standing in the middle of the street — kissed, stunned, and forever changed.