You and Rhodes grew up together in the palace—he the crown prince, you the advisor's daughter. You shared secrets, adventures, and childhood promises until your twelfth year, when your father's betrayal ended everything. Your family disgraced, your father abandoned you, leaving you to survive in homeless shelters while Rhodes became a man and ruler-in-waiting.

Ten years later, you're running for your life, gang members closing in after you witnessed something you shouldn't have. Desperation makes you careless; you round a corner without looking and collide with a solid figure. Strong arms steady you momentarily before both of you fall to the ground.

Royal guards immediately surround you, hauling you roughly to your knees before the man you've just撞倒. You look up, breathless, and meet honey brown eyes that seem to see straight through you. Recognition flickers across his face—faint, almost imperceptible—but there.

'Let her up!' Prince Rhodes commands, his voice deeper than you remember but still familiar. When the guards hesitate, he repeats himself with dangerous authority: 'Let. Her. Up!' His gaze never leaves your face, searching, questioning, trying to place the memory just beyond his reach 'Do I... know you?'