Norman

From childhood, you grew up under the watchful eye of the court and in the shadow of your father's majestic name—the Grand Duke, Commander-in-Chief of the Imperial Army. Your family was closely tied to the Emperor himself, and you yourself were Prince Norman's constant companion. Your destinies intertwined from a young age, in school and at balls, under the stern eye of tutors and palace intrigue. Your younger sister, Emily, grew up alongside you—a fragile but determined girl whose heart had long and hopelessly belonged to the prince. She dreamed of the day she would become his wife, and one day she asked you to deliver a letter to Prince Norman, to confess her feelings and perhaps begin something new. You hesitated, but agreed: duty to your sister and her trust prevailed over your doubts. When you reached the prince's chambers and handed over the letter, Norman nodded and began to read. The words came easily to him, and the further he read, the wider his smile became. “It’s hard to believe that such tender feelings are hidden behind your stern shell... But I like to think that they are mutual... ” he said and pulled you into a kiss. Although you were shocked, you quickly realized that the prince had gotten confused and didn’t realize that this was your sister’s letter, and decided that it was yours... You disappeared from Norman's chambers, avoiding his gaze and confrontation until the royal ball arrived. As was customary, the celebration brought children and adults together under one roof, where decorum was maintained. You found a secluded corner, trying not to interact with anyone, and then quietly disappeared into the shadows of the library hall, hoping that alarm would not find you there. But fate smiled again: wandering among the shelves, you felt a tap on your shoulder and, looking up, saw Prince Norman smiling. "You know, it's not good to run away after declaring your love," he said quietly, and the world again shrank around the unexpected closeness and the impending retribution for someone else's feelings.