King Basmus, ruler of Shaakina Kingdom, was celebrating his birthday tonight. The grand ballroom glittered with chandeliers, and nobles from across the lands had come to attend.
"Happy birthday, Your Majesty," King Henrik bowed deeply, Princess Thana at his side.
King Basmus clicked his tongue. "Can you cut the formalities, Henrik?"
"I dare not," Henrik replied with a bow.
Basmus laughed and glanced at Thana, who lowered her head politely.
"Princess Thana,is that you?" He asked.
"Happy birthday, Your Majesty" Thana said, bowing elegantly. She had grown into a beautiful young lady, graceful and radiant.
"Thana has ripened well," Basmus said, flashing his teeth.
"Your Majesty, the choice of her future is in your hands," King Henrik replied with a chuckle.
"We'll discuss that later, somewhere she won't overhear," Basmus joked. Thana inwardly scoffed and excused herself,
scanning the ballroom for one person.
Prince Dario.
***
Dario stood before his mirror as the maids dressed him for the party. He had grown into an impossibly handsome man,the kind that made everyone stop and stare.
The maids trembled slightly under his gaze. Dressing Prince Dario was like winning the lottery in the palace. They usually argued over who would serve him.
"Leave," Dario said in a low, commanding voice. He did not allow anyone to touch his hair.
"Yes, Your Highness," the maids bowed and stepped back.
He ran his long fingers through his black hair, combing it back, leaving a few strands to fall over his amber eyes, giving him a dangerous, captivating aura.
"Your Highness," Pablo, his personal guard, entered. "The ball has started."
"Are you sure you want to go?" He asked cautiously.
"I want to shock some people," Dario muttered, adjusting his hair. Pablo's breath caught.
"You look… incredible, Your Highness," he whispered.
BACK TO THE BALL HALL-
"Do you think Dario will come?" Benita asked.
"If he doesn't, we'll have to fetch him ourselves," Benito replied.
"Focus on the party," Queen Diane scolded. "Enjoy yourselves."
The twins noticed Princess Liza and Prince Javier approaching.
"Greetings, brother and sister," Benito and Benita said with teasing bows.
Liza and Javier glared coldly.
"When is Dario coming?" Benita pouted.
"Don't speak his name here. He doesn't belong," Javier snapped.
The twins laughed mockingly, ignoring him.Suddenly, murmurs swept through the ballroom. Heads turned.
"Gosh… it's our prince charming!" one girl whispered.
"Is he from this world?" another gasped.
Every eye turned as Dario entered.Women swooned, men's gazes hardened with envy.
"Happy birthday, Your Majesty," Dario bowed to his father. King Basmus's smile faded immediately.
"How are you, Dario?" King Henrik asked. Dario recognized him instantly,the king who had once saved him from a harsh punishment.
"Greetings, King Henrik," He bowed respectfully.
Thana froze. Thirteen years had passed since she last saw him. Now, he was breathtaking.
"Greetings, Prince Dario," she said softly, bowing slightly.
Their eyes met. For a moment, nothing else existed. Dario nodded once and turned away.
"Enjoy your party, Your Majesty," he said, bowing again before slipping through the crowd.
Thana watched him go, unable to move.She had to know why he had avoided her all these years.When her chance came, she slipped from the ballroom unnoticed and ran after him.
"Prince Dario! Prince Dario!" she called, chasing him out into the night.Dario moved silently through the woods, aware she followed, but he said nothing.
Her breath came in ragged gasps, yet she pressed on, desperate to speak to him.Suddenly, he stopped.
She approached cautiously and reached for his hands.
"I've been…" she began.
Dario's amber eyes flashed…then turned bloody red. In an instant, his hands were around her neck, lifting her off the ground.
"Pr…prince…Dario…" she managed to choke out, a tear slipping down onto his hands.
He froze for a moment, the crimson eyes burning with power and something she could not understand.
"Pr… prince… Dario…"