"Take this, Princess, or you'll catch a cold," William said.
His voice was soft, his expression calm, but something in me paused.
His scent clung to the coat, clean and earthy, like the rain itself. It surrounded me, disarming me completely. I looked up at him, momentarily forgetting the world around us.
"Ellie! Come in! You'll get sick!" My mother's voice cut through the rain.
I jolted and ran under the corridor's cover. She looked at me with raised eyebrows.
"You're lucky your father didn't see that," she muttered.
William stepped in behind me, drenched. I returned his coat quickly and went inside with my heart pounding.
Once in the safety of my chambers, I couldn't keep it in any longer.
"Mom… I think I like William," I confessed quietly.
"You like who?"
My blood turned to ice.
I turned to see my father standing at the doorway, looking like the world had just ended.
"Umm…" I stammered. My throat dried. My mind raced. Panic. Panic. Panic.
"You like that ugly golden boy?" Father growled.
"Stop it, Theo!" Mom—Selene—stepped in. "We promised not to interfere with her love life."
"I never made that promise," Father snapped. His eyes burned into mine. "Do you really think he's worthy of you? Is he more handsome than me? Stronger than Liam? Smarter than Noyal?"
Oh no. I had compared every man I met to my brothers and my father before.
I stood frozen. Words failed me. Maybe crying would help? Worth a try.
So, I did it.
I let the tears fall and rushed back to my room, slamming the door behind me.
A few seconds later, I heard Mother's voice echoing through the halls:
"Did you just make her cry, THEODORE?!"
Well... at least it worked.
But honestly… when was the last time I cried?
I couldn't even remember.
The Letter from Theo to Ellie's Brothers
Later that night, in his private study, the King sat at his desk, a feather quill in hand. Muttering to himself, he began to write:
"To my sons—Noyal and Liam,
I hope your studies are going well, and your swords are sharper than ever.
Urgent matter has arisen at home.
Your sister… Ellie…
…has fallen in love. With a boy. A golden boy. A smiling, polite, annoyingly well-mannered, too-handsome-for-his-own-good boy named William.
He gave her his coat. In the rain.
She blushed. I almost had a heart attack.
I tried to reason with her. She cried. Your mother blamed me. Again.
I fear the worst. She may be... in the early stages of romance.
I repeat—early stages of romance.
This is not a drill.
Come home soon. I need backup.
Your Father,
Theodore (Father First, King Later)
He folded the letter with care, sealed it, and muttered to the messenger:
"Fly fast. Ride hard. And for heaven's sake—don't let your sister read this."
The palace buzzed with activity. Maids rushed in and out of the royal chambers, bolts of silk trailed across the hallways, and perfumes floated through the air like whispers. My debut—the official announcement of my coming of age as a royal lady—was only ten days away.
Everyone was excited.
Except me.
It felt less like stepping into society, and more like being pushed off a cliff in a jeweled gown.
And yet... today, of all days, I wasn't nervous about the gowns or the guests. I was thinking about William.
We had grown closer lately—quiet walks in the garden, shared conversations over training, a few too-long glances we never talked about. He had become my calm in the chaos.
Which is why I should have known something would go wrong.
Scene: Garden Courtyard
The wind was soft as I walked with William down the long courtyard steps. The late afternoon light painted gold across the hedges.
"You'll be stunning at your debut," he said, his voice warm.
I glanced at him. "You've seen me trip over my own feet in armour."
He smiled. "Still stunning."
I looked away, cheeks warming. "You're getting better at flattery."
"I'm just getting honest."
We stopped by the fountain. A hush fell over us.
He stepped closer.
"Ellie... I know the world's going to see you differently after that day. But I hope that doesn't change how we... talk. Or look at each other."
I felt my breath catch. My heart danced in my chest. His words felt like velvet and thunder all at once.
And just as he leaned slightly forward—
"AHEM."
Like an ancient curse, the moment shattered.
Standing at the top of the stairs, arms crossed, was Father.
"Do we not have guards in this palace?" he said loudly, walking down. "What kind of security risk allows a young man to be alone with the future of our kingdom in the gardens?"
I stepped back, flustered. William stiffened again, like he was preparing for death by sarcasm.
"Your Majesty," William said with a bow.
"Mm-hmm," Father grunted, then looked at me. "Did you forget you have three dress fittings today? And a tiara selection?"
"I was just taking a walk."
"With him?" he said, looking at William like he was a particularly untrustworthy flower pot.
"We were talking," I said, exasperated.
"Oh, talking." Father narrowed his eyes. "Talking is how kingdoms fall."
"THEO," my mother's voice echoed from a window above. "Stop terrifying the boy."
"I'm not terrifying him!" he yelled back. Then muttered, "...Maybe just lightly scarring him."
He walked up to William, squinted into his face, then said flatly, "Not more handsome than me."
William blinked. "I—uh—would never compare myself, Your Majesty."
"Smart answer," Theo muttered. "Still don't like you."
Then he turned to me, dramatic as ever. "Ellie. You're going to be the most beautiful girl in the kingdom. Which is exactly why I don't trust anyone."
He turned and stormed off in the direction of the castle.
William sighed. "Does he always appear out of nowhere like that?"
I nodded. "Yes. It's his special skill."
Later That Evening – Theo's Study
Another letter began, this one crumpled and rewritten three times before he settled.
To my sons,
Update: Ellie is now having heart-eyes in the palace gardens. With him. Again.
She's got a debut coming. She's glowing. Dangerous glow. Boys will swarm.
I suggest one of you returns early. Maybe both. Maybe with swords.
William still breathing. But barely. I am watching him.
Your father,
Theo (King of Overreacting, Protector of Daughter)