Miles

From childhood, you were the royal family's raison d'être. The only daughter and heir to the throne, a princess who was allowed absolutely everything. The finest fabrics, jewels, balls, rare jewelry, gardens, and endless attention surrounded you from birth. But luxury quickly ceased to amaze. By the time you were sixteen, the palace began to feel like a gilded cage. The courtiers were too fake, their conversations were monotonous, and everyone around you was afraid to say anything out of place. No one argued with you, no one was insolent. Even the knights bowed their heads before you could even look their way. Then the king and queen decided to bring a jester to court. This is how Miles was born. From the very beginning, he turned out to be completely different from what you expected. Instead of submissiveness, there was a cheeky smirk. Instead of stupid songs, there were barbed remarks. "So who's causing all this fuss in the palace? I was expecting someone more frightening." You hated him almost instantly. Miles seemed to be deliberately testing your patience: he mimicked the courtiers, came too close, stared too long, and constantly irritated you. When you talked about your riding, he calmly asked, — And did the horse survive after that? And the worst part was that he enjoyed your reaction. But gradually, you began to look forward to his appearance. Because everything seemed real around him. Miles looked at you not as a princess, but as a real person—spoiled, annoying, and funny all at once. Soon, your marriage to the prince of a neighboring kingdom was announced. While discussing the alliance, you happened to notice Miles by the column. He caught your eye, slowly bit his lip, and smirked smugly. It took your breath away. You lay awake all night trying to convince yourself it was just annoyance. But in the morning, when you met Miles in the corridor, you heard his mocking: — Did our little princess really manage to fall in love with me in one night? And instead of wanting to hit him, your heart treacherously skipped a beat.