ELARA’S POV

I felt something pressing down on me as I entered the grand ballroom for the royal banquet, my first public appearance since my true identity had been revealed. Every eye in the room turned toward me, conversations halting mid-sentence as nobles scrambled to bow deeper than they ever had before. The irony wasn’t lost on me; these were the same people who had whispered behind their hands just days ago.

I lifted my chin and stepped forward, the emerald gown Marielle had selected flowing around me like liquid forest. Father had insisted I wear the royal circlet of Verdana tonight—a delicate silver band set with emeralds that had once belonged to my mother. It sat unfamiliar but right on my brow, a physical reminder of who I had always been beneath the disguise.

“Breathe,” I reminded myself. “Just breathe.”

The Verloren palace ballroom glittered with a thousand candles reflected in gilt mirrors, casting everyone in a golden haze that seemed to blur the edges between reality and dream. This same room where I had once stood unnoticed in corners now parted before me like water.

“Princess Elara,” a familiar voice called out. “You outshine every jewel in the room.”

I turned to find Sebastian approaching, his ceremonial military uniform crisp and imposing, though his smile remained as warm as ever.

“Prince Sebastian,” I greeted him, genuinely pleased to see a friendly face. “I didn’t expect you to be in attendance tonight.”

He executed a perfect bow, taking my hand briefly. “Though I must admit, I’m rather hurt you disappeared without saying goodbye.”

Heat rushed to my cheeks. “I owe you an apology for that. My departure from Verdana was… abrupt.”

“And mysterious,” he added, eyes twinkling. “The entire court has been buzzing with speculation. One day you were the overlooked bride, the next—the hidden heir to Verdana’s throne.”

“It wasn’t my intention to cause such drama,” I said, falling into step beside him as we moved deeper into the ballroom.

Sebastian laughed. “Whether intentional or not, you’ve certainly made every social gathering far more interesting.” His voice dropped lower.

The announcement for dinner interrupted us, saving me from having to respond. The crowd flowed toward the banquet tables arranged in a horseshoe pattern around the room.

“Shall we?” Sebastian offered his arm.

I hesitated only briefly before accepting. “Lead on.”

As Sebastian escorted me to my designated seat, I couldn’t help but marvel at the twist of fate. Weeks ago, I would have been among those serving at this banquet, not seated at the high table with the royal family. The place card beside mine read “Prince Caden,” but he was nowhere to be seen.

“Your husband appears to be fashionably late,” Sebastian observed, pulling out my chair.

“As is his privilege,” I replied, keeping my voice neutral.

Sebastian took the empty seat to my left, leaning closer than strictly necessary. “You know, I always thought Caden was the luckiest man in Verloren, even before anyone knew who you really were.”

I felt a smile tugging at my lips despite myself. “Careful, Prince Sebastian. Such talk might be misconstrued.”

“Let it be,” he said boldly, his eyes never leaving mine. “I’ve never made secret my admiration for you.”

The first course arrived, an elaborate soup of wild mushrooms garnished with gold leaf, momentarily distracting us from dangerous conversational waters. Sebastian kept me entertained with court gossip and witty observations, and I found myself laughing genuinely for the first time in days.

“It’s good to see you smile again,” he said softly. “You’ve carried such weight recently.”

Before I could respond, a hush fell over our section of the table. I looked up to see Caden entering the ballroom, resplendent in formal attire that perfectly matched Verloren’s royal colors. His eyes scanned the crowd until they found me sitting next to Sebastian, laughing intimately.

His expression darkened visibly. Even from across the room, I could feel the tension radiating from him as he made his way to the high table.

“Your husband doesn’t look pleased,” Sebastian murmured, though he made no move to distance himself from me.

“My husband rarely expresses any emotion where I’m concerned,” I replied, taking a deliberate sip of wine.

Caden had nearly reached us when Lady Isolde intercepted him, her ruby gown cut scandalously low. She placed a familiar hand on his arm, leaning close to whisper something that made him pause.

“Ah, the viper approaches,” Sebastian said under his breath.

I watched as Isolde guided Caden toward the table, her triumphant smile fixed firmly in place. They stopped directly across from where Sebastian and I sat.

“Princess Elara,” Isolde curtsied, the gesture perfectly executed and perfectly insincere. “How… regal you look tonight. The emeralds are a bold choice, though perhaps a bit ostentatious for someone still learning court etiquette?”

A few nearby diners quieted, ears perked for brewing drama.

“Lady Isolde,” I acknowledged her with a slight nod. “I’m pleased you approve. These emeralds have adorned Verdanan royalty for seven generations. My mother wore them the night she became queen.”

Isolde’s smile faltered slightly. “How charming to have family heirlooms. Though I suppose technically, they’re new to you, aren’t they? Having only recently discovered your… heritage.”

Sebastian set down his wine glass with enough force to draw attention. “Lady Isolde, surely you aren’t suggesting that Princess Elara’s royal blood is somehow diminished by the circumstances of her upbringing? Such thinking would be not only incorrect but embarrassingly provincial.”

Isolde’s cheeks flushed crimson. “I merely observe that royal bearing typically comes from years of training. Something our dear princess has been denied.”

“Yet she demonstrates more natural grace than those who’ve had every advantage,” Sebastian countered, his voice sharp enough to cut glass.

I glanced at Caden, curious to see his reaction. To my surprise, his expression had hardened, not with embarrassment at the scene unfolding, but with something that looked remarkably like anger directed at Isolde.

“That’s quite enough,” Caden said, his voice carrying enough authority that several nearby conversations faltered. “Lady Isolde, you forget yourself. Princess Elara is not only the daughter of our strongest ally but my wife.”

Isolde paled. “I meant no disrespect, Your Highness. Merely conversation.”

“Then perhaps you should converse elsewhere,” Caden suggested coolly. “I believe Lord Harrington was looking for you earlier.”

Dismissed, Isolde had no choice but to retreat, though her eyes promised retribution. Caden took his seat beside me without acknowledging Sebastian, whose eyebrow had risen nearly to his hairline.

The orchestra struck up a lively tune, signaling the beginning of the dancing portion of the evening.

“Princess,” Sebastian stood suddenly, extending his hand to me. “Would you do me the honor of the first dance?”

I could feel Caden tense beside me. He half-rose from his seat, clearly intending to intercept this request, but Sebastian had timed his invitation perfectly. The eyes of the court were upon us, and to cause a scene now would reflect poorly on everyone involved.

I looked between them, Caden’s stormy expression and Sebastian’s confident smile, and made my decision. Perhaps it was petty, perhaps it was prideful, but after months of being ignored and overlooked, the power to choose felt intoxicating.

I placed my hand in Sebastian’s. “I would be delighted, Prince Sebastian.”