Five Hargreaves

The ballroom was a sea of golden lights, glittering crowns, and cloying perfumes that mingled in the air like sweet poison. Prince Five's coming-of-age celebration was as lavish as it was irritating.

The princesses, one after another, paraded before him with their best smiles and dresses, like desperate flowers searching for the sun.

I, on the other hand, was a flower trapped in a tangle of golden tulle, dressed as a giant wedding cake, hoping to stay out of it. But of course, as the princess of the allied kingdom, I was forced to participate in that circus.

I saw him from the entrance. Five was leaning against a column, frowning and looking like he wanted to set everything on fire. As soon as he saw me, he burst out laughing—one of those laughs very few ever witnessed—when he saw my golden costume. He glared at me and said something like, “I can't believe you agreed to wear that,” without needing words.

One by one, the princesses danced with him. They smiled as if they didn't notice he wasn't even making eye contact. I was the last one.

When I got closer, his face was the picture of emotional collapse.

Five: Please, he said as soon as we took position. Help me with something... I can't take this anymore. I'm going to throw myself out the window if this keeps up.

"What's wrong with you now?" I whispered, pretending to smile so as not to arouse suspicion.

Five: I can't stand being here. I can't stand their voices, their perfumes, their... dresses. I'm not going to put up with a whole month of this. I need your help urgently.

—And what do you suppose you want me to help you with?

Five: Let's get this over with. Let me kiss you.

-That!?

Five: Yes. If I kiss you in front of everyone, they'll assume I've already chosen a princess. End of protocol. Peace for the kingdom. And for me.

"I don't want you to choose me!" I said through gritted teeth, maintaining my composure.

Five: It won't be a real election. It'll be... a temporary election. Something symbolic. Then we make something up for our parents, an irreconcilable disagreement,

He is a flirt and little by little he falls in love with you, to the point that he can't be without you.