[Eleania's POV—At the Hunting Competition]
"…Wow, the princess looks stunning today. Now I understand why Lord Osric fell for her," one noblewoman whispered beside me, her fan fluttering as her eyes followed Princess Lavinia's every move.
Another leaned in, voice tinged with curiosity. "Do you think their engagement rumors are true? They haven't made any official announcement yet."
"Maybe not," the first replied, "but look at him. The way Lord Osric is staring at her—it doesn't look like rumor to me."
A third noble nodded softly. "He looks enchanted."
Their laughter and sighs felt like knives against my skin.
I forced a smile, though my fingers curled tightly around my skirt. Because there he was—my Osric. The man who was supposed to be mine. I was the one who laid my eyes on him. And yet, his gaze was on her, the golden princess, as though the rest of the world had turned to dust.
