The castle’s grand hall was in full swing, lit by golden chandeliers and filled with guests from all over the kingdom. It was the wedding day of Philippe, the heir to the throne. Sitting on his throne, the king watched those present with the watchful eye of a monarch accustomed to measuring every expression and gesture around him. He knew that his son’s wedding was more than a celebration; it was a crucial political alliance for the future of the kingdom.

As the music began, a group of dancers entered to entertain the guests. Their movements were graceful, their costumes vibrant, and their energy contagious. It was then that one of them caught the king’s attention. She was different, not because of her beauty, but because of something he could not define. There was a lightness in her steps, an expression on her face that exuded something beyond the spectacle.

No matter how hard he tried to look away, he could not. Her every gesture seemed to captivate him in a way he did not understand. As the evening drew to a close and the guests began to leave, the image of that young dancer remained in his mind. Even in his chambers, far from the noise of the party, he could not rest.

For the next few nights, the memory of her haunted him. It was unusual for the king, who had always seen women as temporary distractions, to become so fixated on someone. But this young woman seemed different. His mind, accustomed to calculating strategies and thinking about the good of the kingdom, now wandered to her, to what he had seen in her eyes and in her movements.

As her birthday approached, the queen organized a grand celebration, worthy of a monarch. Despite the emotional distance between them, she knew that an event like this would cement the king's position and reaffirm the strength of the kingdom. She hired artists, musicians, and, to please the guests, brought back the group of dancers who had performed at Philippe's wedding.

When the dancers began their performance, the king's heart raced. He knew she would be among them, and when he saw her, he was certain. There she was, as magnificent as the first time. Her movements seemed to dominate the room, and the king barely noticed the rest of the spectacle. When the music ended, he made a discreet gesture to one of his advisors, asking that she be brought to him.

Backstage, the young woman was informed that the king wished to see her. She hesitated, accustomed to being sought out by noblemen, but the formality of the request aroused her curiosity. When she entered the room where he was waiting for her, she found a man who, despite his imposing presence, seemed vulnerable in an unexpected way.

He stood up when he saw her, something rare for a man of his position.

“What is your name?” he asked, his voice deep but surprisingly gentle.