XAVIER The grand ballroom fell silent as the royal guard's voice rang through the air, announcing, "His Majesty, King Roland de Quesaria , and His Highness, Prince Xavier Alexander de Quedaria!"

I followed my father into the ballroom, entering from the elevated platform overlooking the gathered nobles. The weight of countless gazes settled on me, but I kept my expression composed. It had been years since I last stood before the nobility, and I could see both familiar faces and new ones among the crowd.

My father stepped forward to address the assembly. His deep voice carried authority as he began his speech.

"Loyal subjects and noble families of Quesaria, tonight we celebrate not only the dawn of a new year but also the future of our kingdom. It is with great pride that I formally introduce you to my son, Prince Xavier Alexander as the Crown Prince of Quesaria." Father said. "My son has grown into a fine young man, who understands the weight of his responsibilities and the sacrifices required of him. He will stand as a symbol of strength, integrity, and unity for our people. Tonight, I place upon him the crown of the heir, signifying his readiness to serve and protect this great land."

With those words, my father turned to me, lifting the crown meant for the Crown Prince. It was a smaller, more intricate version of the king's crown, adorned with crimson and gold. He placed it carefully on my head, the gesture sealing my position as the future ruler of Quesaria.

A round of applause erupted as I stepped forward, my heart pounding but my resolve strong. It was my turn to address the crowd.

"Thank you, Your Majesty, for your faith in me, and to all the noble houses gathered here tonight, thank you for your unwavering loyalty to our kingdom." I said. "I vow to uphold the values that make Quesaria strong and to serve people with wisdom, justice, and compassion. I promise to work tirelessly to protect the peace and prosperity of our lands. Together, we shall strive for a brighter future, one where all may thrive under the unity of our banner. I humbly accept this responsibility and will dedicate myself to the betterment of our kingdom."

The applause swell again, echoing off the grand walls of the ballroom. My gaze swept over the crowd, filled with respect and admiration for my speech.

Then, amidst the sea of faces, I noticed her, Aveline.

Her dark red dress sparkled under the glow of the chandelier, the diamonds catching the light like stars. Her expression was poised, but when our eyes met, a flicker of recognition passed between us. I couldn't help but smile, the faintest trace of shyness breaking through my otherwise composed demeanour.

——————————————————————————————————————————————————— EMILIA From the moment I saw him enter, I was captivated. The Crown Prince—my Crown Prince. He truly was handsome as the rumours claimed, with his striking black hair and those intense crimson-red eyes that seemed to see everything. He radiated a presence unlike any other, commanding the attention of the entire room effortlessly.

As I watched him ascend the dais with his father, I felt a surge of determination. Maybe I should truly aim for him. With my beauty, there's no way he could resist me.

Mother leaned toward me, her voice a soft but firm whisper. "Emilia, this is your chance. You must capture the Crown Prince's attention tonight. Your green dress perfectly complements his royal attire. This match will be noticed—it's fate, my dear."

I glanced down at my own gown, a soft, flowing green, a shade lighter than the prince's dark green royal attire. Mother was right. Our colours aligned like a perfect pairing, as thought destiny itself had decreed it.

I straightened my posture, adjusting the delicate jewels on my neckline. "Don't worry, mother. I'll make sure he notices me," I replied confidently.

But as my eyes returned to the Crown Prince, I noticed something odd. He wasn't looking at me—or anyone else in the sea of nobles vying for his attention. No, his gaze was fixed... somewhere specific. My heart sank as I followed his line of sight.

What? No. This can't be!

There she is. Aveline.

AVELINE IS HERE? I gripped the folds of my dress tightly, disbelief surging through me. What was she even doing here? How could she, of all people, stand in the same ballroom as the royal family? And worse—the Crown Prince is looking at her

My chest tightened as anger and disbelief flooded my thoughts. Why would he even glance at her?

But then a new thought struck me, calming my panic with its certainty. The Crown Prince must not know her background. He can't possibly know what she truly is—a child of misfortune, an ungrateful brat taken in by pity.

I smirk faintly, my confidence returning. Once he learns about her pathetic origins, he'll be disgusted. There's no way someone like her could ever stand beside him.

Mother's whisper broke through my thoughts. "Emilia, are you ready? Remember, tonight is your chance."

I smiled sweetly, though inwardly I seethed. "Of course, mother. I'll make him see who's truly worthy of his attention."

Because no matter what, I wouldn't let Aveline take what should be mine.