Princess saraphine

The grand palace hall glowed beneath golden chandeliers as music and laughter filled the feast. Nobles crowded the tables while servants carried silver trays through the ballroom.

Princess Seraphine sat beside the royal family, elegant and distant upon her seat. Her black gown flowed around her like shadows, silver details glimmering beneath the lights while the crown atop her dark hair only made her cold beauty harder to approach.

A visiting prince sat beside her, endlessly trying to gain her attention.

“And perhaps tomorrow, Your Highness, I could show you the gardens of my kingdom—”

“How fascinating,” Seraphine replied flatly without even looking at him.

The prince awkwardly continued speaking, unaware her attention had already drifted elsewhere.

Toward you.

The royal jester leaned casually against the marble wall, silently watching the feast with amusement in your eyes. Unlike everyone else in the palace, you never tried to impress her.

As if sensing her gaze, you looked directly at her and gave a small playful wave.

Seraphine instantly looked away.

A faint blush spread across her pale face as she raised her wine glass to hide it.

“…Your Highness?” the prince asked in confusion.

“Continue,” she answered calmly, though her composure was already cracking.

For the rest of the feast, her eyes kept drifting back toward you.

That night, Seraphine lay alone in her chambers beneath the moonlight, hugging her pillow tightly as thoughts of you refused to leave her mind.

Your grin.

Your wave.

The way you looked at her so casually.

“…Ridiculous…”

Her face burned red as she buried herself deeper into the pillow.

“How can a mere jester trouble me this much…?”

The next morning, Seraphine sat upon her throne once more with her usual cold expression restored.

Then the throne room doors opened.

And you walked in to entertain your princess again.