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đđ đđđđđ⊠in the kingdom of eveloria, the princess is weeks away from her coronation and under pressure to marry a prince for the sake of her kingdom. though she dreams of freedom and a life of her own choosing, she unexpectedly falls for a knightâsomeone forbidden to her. as her coronation approaches, she must decide whether to follow her heart or fulfill her duty to the crown.
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in the kingdom of eveloria there is elegance woven into every cobblestone and beauty drapes over the land like silk. the castle, a structure of towering, pale lilac spires that glisten like morning dew, rises from the heart of the kingdom. wisteria vines cascade from balconies and curl around marble columns, their blossoms a delicate shade of violet that matches the royal crest and your familyâs legacy.
beyond the castle grounds, a gentle hillside rolls down to the town of petalbrook, where the kingdomâs people live and work with a quiet, faithful pride. in petalbrook, narrow, winding streets lead to bustling squares and markets alive with laughter and life. each shopfront is painted in warm hues; doorways are adorned with flower boxes bursting with camellia, lavender, and soft pink roses. lanterns hang from wrought iron posts, their light casting a warm, inviting glow over the cobbled streets as evening settles.
here, tailors craft exquisite garments, weavers create silken fabrics that seem to shimmer with magic, and bakers prepare delicate pastries dusted with powdered sugar. the townspeople bow their heads with gentle smiles as you pass through, a testament to their loyalty and quiet adoration. thereâs a sense of harmony between the princess and the town, a connection between royalty and the people that feels as natural as the lavender-scented breezes that drift through the kingdom.
eveloria is yours to rule one day, a place of beauty, of elegance, and of stories that wait to be told. but as dawn breaks each morning and paints the castle walls in shades of lavender and gold, you wonder what destiny awaits you in a land so steeped in grace and mystery.
the castle gardens were your favorite sanctuary, a place where you felt free. the air was rich with the scent of blooming violets, lilacs, and roses, and the sun gleamed between the leaves of ancient oaks that shaded the pathways.
in the heart of the garden stood a delicate fountain, it whispered with a steady trickle of water, its basin filled with lily pads. It was your favorite place to escapeâto pretend, if only for a moment, that you were just a teenage girl and not a princess preparing for a throne.
you sat on the soft grass near a patch of wildflowers, your fingers brushing through the silky fur of a small gray bunny. it twitched its nose at you, its large eyes blinking as though it trusted you completely. you giggled softly, offering it a handful of baby carrots youâd snuck from the kitchen.
âyou eat like the royal horses,â you teased, watching as it nibbled away at the palm of your hand. âyouâd fit right in at the banquet table, though I doubt mother and father would approve of your table manners.â
the bunny gave a soft hop, as if in response, and you laughed, the sound light and carefree. it was rare for you to feel this free. but your peace was shattered by the hurried crunch of footsteps on the gravel path. you looked up to see ashley, a maid, hurrying toward you. her usual composure was replaced by urgency, her blonde hair slipping loose from its bun and her hands gripping the folds of her apron as she picked up her skirts to quicken her pace.
âprincess,â she said, slightly out of breath as she curtsied. âthe queen requestsâno, demandsâthat you come inside at once.â
you frowned, your fingers still gently stroking the bunnyâs fur. âwhat could she possibly want now? iâve finished all my duties for today.â
ashley hesitated, glancing at the bunny before lowering her voice. âshe insists you dress immediately. princes from other kingdoms are arriving soon. she wants you prepared to make aâŠgood impression.â
the words hung in the air, heavy and unwelcome. you sighed, carefully carrying the bunny out of your lap, into the cool grass beside you âof course she does,â you murmured, the joy of the moment slipping away like petals on the wind.
ashley offered a sympathetic smile but said nothing. it wasnât her place to comment. âiâve laid out one of your finest gown, the one with the flowers embroidered along the hem. youâll lookâŠperfect, your highness.â you gave the bunny one last affectionate stroke before standing, brushing the grass from your dress. âperfect,â you echoed with a trace of bitterness. âisnât that always the goal?â with a reluctant glance at the garden, its flowers swaying gently in the breeze, you followed ashley back toward the towering castle.
ashleyâs hands worked at the laces of your corset, pulling them tighter with each tug. you winced slightly, gripping the edge of the vanity table as the pressure against your ribs increased.
âsorry princess, iâm nearly finished,â ashley murmured, her tone apologetic but firm. âit needs to fit perfectly, or your mother will have my head.â you let out a sharp breath as she gave one last tug. âi think sheâs more worried about my waist fitting perfectly than the corset.â ashley smirked faintly, smoothing down the back of your bodice before stepping around to check her work. âthere we go. perfect.â
perfect. you were beginning to despise that word.
she moved to your hair next, brushing through the curls with quick, practiced strokes before twisting and pinning half of your hair into an intricate updo. a few loose strands were left to frame your face. as ashley worked, you stared at your reflection in the mirrorâa girl who looked every inch the princess of eveloria but felt worlds away from her true self.
a lavender ballgown lay draped over the chair beside you. it was sewn with delicate embroidery of silver vines and tiny violets, catching the light with every movement. the off the shoulder ruffled sleeves were sheer and enchanting on your arms.
the skirt flared gently from the waist, cascading to the floor with a hint of shimmer woven into the fabric. along the hem, a subtle border of violet blossoms was stitched in silver thread, adding just the right amount of detail without overwhelming the dress. a thin silver belt cinched at the waist, adorned with a single amethyst stone in the center, tying the look together with a royal touch. ashley carefully lifted it from the chair, her hands steady as she held it out for you.
âstep in, please,â she said softly.
you obeyed, lifting your arms as she slid the dress over your corset and adjusted it to fit snugly. the fabric felt luxurious against your skin. as ashley fastened the tiny buttons along your back, you heard the door creak open. you didnât need to look to know who it was.
âah,â your motherâs voice rang out, sharp and approving, âthere she is. my beautiful daughter.â ashley stepped aside quickly, curtsying as the queen strode into the room. your motherâs presence was commanding, her gown as grand as the throne she ruled from. she studied you with a critical eye, her gaze lingering on every detail before a small smile curved her lips.
âyou look stunning,â she said, stepping closer. âthe princesâ will be stunned the moment they see you.â
you turned toward her, keeping your expression neutral. âthank you, mother.â
she approached the vanity, picking up the tiara that glittered there, its diamonds catching the light. âbut thereâs one final touch.â you stood still as she placed the tiara gently on your head, adjusting it so it sat perfectly in place. her hands lingered for a moment, and she smiled at your reflection in the mirror.
âthere,â she said softly, her voice tinged with pride. âa true princess. tonight, youâll show them why eveloria deserves the strongest alliance, and why you deserve the finest match.â
her words were meant as praise, but they felt like shackles. you nodded politely, hiding the storm brewing inside you. your mother turned to ashley. âhave her ready in the grand hall in ten minutes. we mustnât keep our guests waiting.â
âyes, your majesty,â ashley said, bowing her head. your mother left the room without another word, the click of her heels fading into the corridor. ashley glanced at you in the mirror, her expression unreadable.
âyou lookâŠlovely,â she said softly, though there was something in her tone that felt like sympathy. you smiled weakly at her and took a deep breath, smoothing the front of your gown. âletâs go princess, your prince charming awaits you.â
the grand hall was alive with the murmur of conversations, the clinking of glasses, and the distant strains of the musicians. you moved gracefully from prince to prince, but each introduction left you more exhausted than the last. one by one, they presented themselves: a prince from the northern isles who bragged endlessly about his fleet, another from the southern desert whose flattery felt insincere, a quiet, nervous boy who couldnât meet your eyes for more than a moment. wach had their faultsâtoo snobby, too quiet, too dull, or far too eager to list their kingdomâs wealth. none of them saw you as anything more than an object, a prize to be won.
finally, you came face to face with prince james of silverglade, the son of eveloriaâs closest ally. you had seen him only a handful of times at formal events, but each interaction had left a sour impression. his reputation preceded himâsilverglade was nearly as powerful as eveloria, and james carried himself as though he were king already.
âyour highness,â he greeted with a deep bow, his crimson robes swishing dramatically.
âprince james,â you replied, curtsying and forcing a polite smile.
your parents, standing nearby, beamed with approval. your father stepped forward, clapping a hand on jamesâs shoulder. âitâs been too long, james. youâve grown into a strong young man, your father speaks highly of you.â
âas he does of you, your majesty,â james said, his voice smooth and self-assured. âsilverglade has always cherished its bond with eveloria. and I must say, princess, you grow more radiant with each passing year.â
your mother smiled warmly, placing a hand on your shoulder. âweâve always considered your family like our own. the future of both our kingdoms is built on trust and strength.â her words were pointed, and you felt the weight of their meaning pressing down on you.
prince james turned back to you, his sharp eyes glittering. âof course. together, eveloria and silverglade could be the strongest and powerful of them all. our kingdom would secure a golden age for generations to come.â
your stomach twisted at his assumption, but you managed to keep your expression neutral. âa kingdom must also be built on understanding and kindness, wouldnât you agree?â
prince james chuckled before meeting your eyes again, âkindness is good for morals, but it does little to win battles or command respect. strength, wealth, and power, are the currency of rulers. surely you understand that.â
you scoffed at his tone, sensing the condescension beneath his words. âstrength isnât measured by how much you take or command, prince james. itâs determined by how much you give to those who need it. i see that alliances are built on more than power and wealth. they require understanding, respect and qualities that go beyond appearances.â
his laughed lowly at your speech, âoh, but appearances matter, donât they? after all, a queen must be admired, even envied. itâs part of the job. you understand that, donât you?â his words stung, not because they were true, but because they reduced you to nothing more than a symbol, a pawn in a game of power.
the smugness in his voice ignited something in you. you felt your chest tighten, your patience snapping. âperhaps,â you said sharply, your voice rising, âbut some rulers forget what it means to lead. power without compassion is nothing but greed.â
your motherâs eyes widened slightly at your tone, and your father cleared his throat, a signal to temper your words. but prince james only raised a brow, his smirk unshaken. âyouâre spirited, princess y/n. i admire that. though perhaps that fire should be directed toward ruling, rather than⊠sentiment.â
that was enough. without another word, you turned on your heel and swept out of the hall, ignoring the startled murmurs that rippled through the room. as you walked up the grand staircase, the voices from the hall faded, replaced by the pounding of your heart. you barely noticed your parents attempting to gain your attention and the guards standing at attention as you reached your chambers, slamming the door shut behind you.
meanwhile, downstairs the tension hung heavy in the air. your mother smoothed her gown, her expression frozen in attempt to keep her composure, though the tightness around her mouth betrayed her irritation.
king andrew let out a soft sigh, stepping closer to the prince. âmy daughter is⊠passionate. she has always spoken her mind.â
prince james nodded his head, his expression unreadable. âa commendable trait, your majesty. though perhaps a sharper focus on duty would serve her well.â
queen evelynâs smile was tight. âshe will rise to the occasion, as all great rulers do. she simply needs time to adjust to the weight of her future responsibilities.â
hours had passed since the disaster of the evening, but the weight of it all still clung to you. as you sat on the plush cushion by your bay window, your knees drawn close to her chest, the folds of your pale nightgown draped softly around you. the beautiful dress you had once worn pooled on the ground beside the corset. your fatherâs voice lingered in your mind, sharp with disappointment as he chastised you for storming out.
âyou have to think beyond yourself,â he yelled. âthis is about the kingdom, not just your feelings.â
you nodded at the time, your lips pressed into a thin line, but your chest had burned with frustration. it wasnât that you didnât care about eveloriaâyour cared so deeply it hurt. but no one seemed to understand that this constant pressure to be perfect, to be what everyone else needed, was crushing you.
you leaned your forehead against the cool pane, staring out at the quiet kingdom of eveloria. from here, you could see the faint glow of lanterns in the distant town, the chimneys of homes still trailing thin ribbons of smoke into the night. it all looked so peaceful, so far removed from the noise and tension of court, where laughter and life still buzzed in the taverns and homes. your people. your future.
but tonight, the weight of it all seemed unbearable.
you knew your were blessedâprivileged beyond measure to live in such luxury, to have the power to shape her peopleâs lives for the better. your parents meant well, you reminded herself. they always did. their insistence on forming alliances and securing eveloriaâs future came from a place of love and duty. but they couldnât see how much it weighed on you, how every demand, every expectation felt like another layer of chains wrapped around you.
your reflection in the glass stared back at you, pale and tired. you didnât look like the radiant princess the court expected. you looked like a girl who just wanted to breathe. you closed your eyes, letting the stillness of the night wash over you. but even here, in the quiet of your bedroom, the weight of her responsibilities pressed against your chest. you always had to be perfect for her people, for her parents, for the future of your kingdom.
a soft breeze fluttered the curtains, carrying the faint scent of the garden below. it called to you, promising a reprieve from the grand marbled walls that felt too small tonight. you opened her eyes and looked out again, your gaze falling on the moonlit paths winding through the flowers and the soft glimmer of the small fountain in the distance.
before you could second-guess yourself, you stood up from the cushion, your bare feet padding softly against the cool floor. you grabbed your sheer coverup dress from the arm of your chair and draped it over your shoulders. you glanced at the door to your chambers, knowing the guards wouldnât disturb you at this hour, and then turned toward the balcony.
you donât hesitate before climbing over the stone railing, your hands grip the trellis as you descend. the wood creaks softly beneath your weight, but you barely notice. when your feet finally touch the soft grass below, you let out a shaky breath, your chest loosening a little. the garden stretches out around you, glowing softly under the moonlight. winding paths are lined with lilacs, violets, and roses, their sweet perfume filling the air. the sound of the fountain draws you forward, its gentle trickle like a lullaby in the stillness of the night.
you reach the fountain and sink onto its edge, your fingers brushing against the cold stone. for a moment, you simply stare at the rippling water, the silver reflections shifting and dancing. the events of the evening replay in your mindâthe shallow conversations, the hollow smiles, the way not one prince cared about your thoughts, only the crown on your head.
a tear slips down your cheek before you realize it, and you swipe at it quickly, as if denying its presence might make the feelings disappear. but another tear falls, and then another, until you finally let yourself lie back on the grass beside the fountain. the cool earth presses against you, grounding you as you stare up at the stars, your vision blurring.
the stars above seem impossibly distant, glimmering faintly through the tears that continue to slip down your cheeks. you close your eyes, letting the soft hum of the garden and the trickling of the fountain surround you. here, at least for a moment, you can let the world fall away.
you sniffle softly, brushing the back of your hand across your damp cheeks as you lie by the fountain. the cool grass beneath you soothes your bare feet, but the ache in your chest remains.
the sudden voice startles you. you sit up quickly, twisting around to see a figure standing at the edge of the path. itâs one of the knights, his silver armor faintly glinting in the moonlight. his helmet is tucked under his arm, and the soft curls of his brunette hair catch the pale light. his blue eyes meet yours, steady and concerned.
âwhat are you doing here?â you snap, your voice sharper than you intend. âi came out here to be alone.â
his brow furrows slightly, and he takes a cautious step closer, keeping his tone gentle. âi was patrolling near the garden and saw you come out here. i just wanted to make sure you were safe.â
you huff, irritation flaring as you cross your arms. âi donât need a guard to babysit me, even if my parents might think otherwise.â
he doesnât flinch at your words, his expression calm but earnest. âyour safety isnât about duty,â he says softly. âitâs about care. and whether you want it or not, i care.â
his sincerity catches you off guard, and your anger deflates almost instantly. guilt tugs at you as you glance away, brushing your hand against your dress. âi⊠iâm sorry. i didnât mean to be so harsh.â
he steps closer now, his boots crunching softly against the gravel of the garden path. âyou donât need to apologize, princess. itâs been a long day for you, hasnât it?â you let out a soft sigh, your silence speaking for you.
he hesitates for a moment before lowering himself onto the fountainâs edge, keeping a respectful distance. his movements are careful, measured, as if he doesnât want to intrude. âdo you want to talk about it?â
you glance at him, surprised by the question. the knights youâre used to never ask questions like thatâtheyâre strict and silent, their presence a reminder of the sturdy castle walls. but something about him feels different: his kind eyes, the way he doesnât look at you like youâre untouchable.
âitâs just⊠everything,â you admit finally, your voice quieter now. âthe princes, the expectations, the constant weight of doing the right thing for the kingdom. i know i should be grateful, but sometimes it feels like no one sees me. they only see what i can offer themâpower, wealth, alliances. not who i am.â
he nods, his gaze steady on yours. âit must be hard to feel like everyoneâs only looking at the crown, not the person wearing it.â
the way he says itâso simply, without judgmentâeases some of the tension in your chest. you nod slowly, letting out a shaky breath. âit is.â
he offers a faint, reassuring smile. âwell, for what itâs worth, i see more than that. i see someone who cares about her people enough to cry for them, someone who just wants to be understood. and thatâs someone worth seeing.â his words catch you off guard, and for a moment, you donât know how to respond. instead, your gaze lingers on him, studying his face for the first time. thereâs something familiar in the softness of his expression, in the way his curls frame his face and his eyes hold steady on yours.
âwhat was your name?â you ask finally, your voice quiet but curious.
he blinks, as if surprised by the question, before answering. âchris. christopher sturniolo, technically, but just chris is fine.â
âthank you for being with me chris,â your lips curve into the faintest smile.
âanytime,â chris says, his voice soft, but his gaze steady.
for the first time in what feels like hours, the weight in your chest eases just a little. the stars above seem brighter now, and the ache of the evening feels a little more bearable. chris sits quietly beside you for a moment longer, his presence a steadying force in the stillness of the garden.
he shifts slightly, glancing back toward the castle. âi should get back to my patrol,â he says gently, rising to his feet. âbefore your father decides iâve abandoned my duties and has me reassigned to cleaning the stables.â
you let out a soft laugh, the sound surprising you after such a heavy day. âiâll make sure to tell him you were keeping me safe.â you look up at him, a part of you reluctant to let the moment end. âthank you, chris, i really enjoyed talking with you.â
his blue eyes soften, and he gives you a small, reassuring smile. âitâs no trouble, princess. try to get some rest, okay? youâve had a long day.â you nod, returning his smile faintly.
he lingers for a moment, as if wanting to say more, but instead bows his head respectfully. âgoodnight, princess. sleep well.â
as he turns and walks down the garden path, his silhouette fading into the shadows, you smile to yourself and feel a quiet sense of comfort settle over you.
đ±đšđ±đš, đŠđąđ âĄ
đđđđ: HELLO HELLO, i have been wanting to write this series for so long but im a procrastinator so i put it off for a while. also when we talk about the princessâs sheer coverup dress thing, just imagine sabrina carpenterâs babydoll dress she wears on tour, just longer okay lolol. im super super excited to see how this story plays out hehe i have so many ideas!!! send me messages in my inbox for requests or just to chat :))
đđđ đŹ âËàż à±šà§ Ë. á”á” @sirenedeslily @freshloveee @ifwdominicfike @matt5sturnioloo @pleasebendmeoverxxx
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