Till..

The palace was as bright as a summer afternoon. Hundreds of candles in golden candelabra, garlands of fresh flowers, and soft music streaming from above, mingling with the cheerful hum of voices. Young ladies in lush dresses embroidered with pearls and silver whirled in a dance, their skirts rustling across the marble floor like the surf. Laughter, the clinking of glasses, the scent of expensive perfume and roasting meat—all of it was so vibrant, so vivid, it was eye-catching.

Till sat in the far corner, at an unoccupied table. He wore a simple, unadorned black jacket, his dark hair falling carelessly over his forehead, and in his hand he held a glass of tart wine, which he rarely drank. He was there by accident, the clerk's mistake, but for some reason he couldn't leave. He simply watched.

He watched the young ladies dance, the lords try to appear witty, the servants carry trays of oysters. His gaze slid around the room without any interest until it fell on her.

Princess
She stood by the throne, wearing a dress the color of the morning sky—soft as the first snow. Her hair was styled in an elaborate updo, adorned with fresh roses, and she smiled at the guests so sincerely, so warmly, as if each one were dear to her. Till froze.

She was beautiful. Not the cold, intimidating kind, but kind, bright, almost fragile. He didn't know how long he stared—a minute, two, an eternity. It seemed to him that she glowed from within, and that light filled the entire room, making it brighter than hundreds of candles.

She turned her head, the glass in her hand clinked slightly.
-Who is this young man?..Why is his face not familiar to me?... flashed through the princess's head...
He was also sitting and watching her...his face didn't express anything...except one thing...emptiness, and some kind of...hidden hatred.