The Prince and Mia

n light over marble floors, where intricate crimson and gold mosaics depicted Klbasian victories. Crimson silk drapes, heavy and opulent, framed towering

t melody weaving through the clink of crystal goblets and the soft, calculated laughter. Tables

in a tailored black suit, he played his part. His smile was a well-honed weapon, his nods were perfectly timed, but his deep brown eye

a candleli

energy. Radiant in a flowing emerald gown, with sapphire pins sparkli

ed, circling her friend. "It should

polite pastels. Her blond hair cascaded in soft waves, catching the candlelight like spun gold, and her blue eyes-luminous as Klbasian sapphires-shimmer

torial whisper. "With your eyes and that hair... you're not ju

match its crimson hue. "Myar, I shouldn't be here. I'm a s

et them object. Besides," she added, her voice softening, "Tarkan has been a brooding mes

mother lives in terror of the Queen. And after fou

ck us figs in the library. Give him a chance to explain himself. And honest

attlefield of dread and a treacherous fl

llroom's roar. "Good. Now let's make an entrance. My

n Tarkan's

ritical tonight, Your Highness," he said, his voice a low, measured warning. "Lady Lamar's father ho

phire eyes. "I know my role, Ramzi. But my heart is not in it." He paused, his voice dropping. "Di

ally striking. Which is precisely why pursuing her now, with the

. "I just want to understand why. Four years, Ramzi,

But Lady Lamar is not a woman to be ignored,

play my part tonight. But if I see Mia

m he knew he couldn't stop. "Then tread lightly, Yo

elvet. "Tarkan, my dear, allow me to introduce Baroness Ferrand." The baroness, a w

red like deep water, her dark hair was swept into a flawless chignon. Her features were stri

and warm. "It's a delight to welcome your h

But Klbas calls me back." His gaze lingered on her, perf

you, Your Highness. I hope to serve Klbas as diligently as

his charm on autopilot, his eyes

en he

ls. Her blond hair glowed like a halo, framing her porcelain face, and her blue eyes, wide with a devastating mix of uncertainty and defiance, caught the chandelier's light. She was b

Everything else-Queen Faya's monologue, Lady Lamar's polite in

er's flicker of sharp irritation and Lamar's polite confusi

eached her, her beauty even more radiant up close. Her sapphire eyes met his, a storm

tretched hand to his face. "Your Highness," she

tly closing around hers, warm and steady an

a melody that spoke of ancient, tragic love songs. Mia's posture was rigid, her hand in a betrayal she couldn'

ears alone. "You are stunning tonight, Mia. That gown, t

eks. "Don't, Tarkan," she said, her voi

ssure on the small of her back. "Yesterday, you shut me out. Why

'll end in ashes. "I had nothing to say," she whispered, the lie t

s. It meant everything to me. Look me in the eye and tell me it me

saw her resolve betray her. "It was a mistake," she said, her voice crack

altz softened, but he didn't release her. He stepped closer, his voice an urg

the light. "My mother's job. My scholarsh

yone hurt you. Trust me." He offered his hand again. After a mome

with a soft, definitive thud, sealing them in a world of leat

, pressing a hand to her chest. "

tabloid stories? Did you think I was happy?" His voice dropped, raw and wounded. "Every city, every party, every woma

u can't say these things. You're eng

tepped closer still, his breath warm against her skin. "You are real, Mia. T

in her sapphire eyes. "You're a fool. Your

. "You are everything to me. And I will not be her pawn, not when my own heart is at st

ispered, her voice breaking. "Of course, I remembe

rate kiss-a storm of frustration, loneliness, and furious longing. It was not the gentle vow of the library; it was a brand of ownership, a desperate reclamation. M

AS

or bur

t is the mea

with panic. The Queen's gaze blazed, her silver gown a stark, cold contrast to Mia's vibrant crimson. Behind he

rkan abandon her side without a second thought. And as she watched him lead the girl in the crimson dress from the dance floor, her polite s