The party came to an end, and the last chords of the music began to fade as the guests said their goodbyes. The queen, standing in the center of the room, asked for silence and addressed everyone in a solemn tone. The candlelight illuminated her face, revealing the maturity and authority that only years of reigning could bestow. The murmuring stopped, and all eyes turned to her, the matriarch of the royal family.

  —My dear friends and nobles. — the queen began, her voice clear and resonant. I want to thank you for your presence here tonight, for your continued support of our family. —This season, as every year, marks the beginning of the marriage season. Marriages between our houses, unions that will strengthen ties and consolidate power.

  The queen paused, and the room fell into absolute silence, aware of the importance of her words.

  —This year, as always, we will bestow royal blessings on the young ladies who have distinguished themselves in their efforts and behavior, who have been worthy of our favor. And as part of our family, my dear granddaughter, Priscilla, will receive our blessing, but you should know that she will not enjoy any special privileges because of her title. Like all the others, she must earn her place by proving her worth and her hard work.

  The Queen's words echoed in Priscilla's ears, and her heart beat faster than she would have liked. She knew her grandmother was trying to maintain fairness among the young noblewomen, but she couldn't help feeling a strange pressure. Expectations of her were high, not only because of her lineage, but also because of what she was expected to achieve in this season of marriages. There would be no shortcuts for the princess; she would have to earn her place among the others.

  After the queen's words, the party continued with the last dances and conversations, but Priscilla could hardly enjoy the evening. Her mind was still caught up in what her grandmother had said. How could she stand out from the rest if she had always lived in the shadow of her title?

  The night passed quickly, and when the last guests said goodbye, Priscilla retired to her room. Her mind was still racing as she changed, letting herself be carried away by the nightly routine. She took off her elegant dress and put on something more comfortable, a simple nightgown. As she looked at herself in the mirror, her thoughts faded away in the stillness of the night. “Tomorrow is another day,” she thought. But she wasn't so sure things would be as easy as she hoped.

  The next day, the sun timidly peeked over the horizon, and Priscilla, as always, woke up early. The rhythm of the palace did not stop, and she was no exception. As a princess, she had to attend school along with the other young people of the nobility, but in her mind, the future seemed like a series of heavy expectations that she could hardly assimilate.

  The day began like any other. After a light breakfast, Priscilla was accompanied by her maid to the carriage that would take her to school. Although the city was full of activity, she couldn't help feeling alienated from it all. On arrival, as always, she went straight to her classroom. When she entered the room, the atmosphere was already charged with murmurs and laughter.

  There, in their usual place, were Selene and Maximo. As always, Selene seemed to be glued to Maximo, her flirtatious and confident attitude contrasting with the indifference that Maximo seemed to show towards her. Selene watched him with a triumphant smile, enjoying every moment by his side. She couldn't help it, but the presence of Selene clinging to him was unbearable. Her brazen attitude, her way of being, was something that Priscila did not understand, but she had learned to ignore.

  Priscila let out an ironic laugh at the sight of the scene. It was impossible not to notice the obvious, and although she didn't want to get involved, she couldn't help her mind making conjectures about the nature of the relationship between the two. The truth was that despite Selene's closeness to Maximo, something inside her told her that not everything was so simple.

  With a wry smile on her face, Priscilla made her way to her seat, a place that had been assigned next to Maximo.

  There was a corridor between them, but she knew full well that it would not be easy to ignore him, especially after the strange feeling she had had the night before. She sat down, tried to concentrate on the books and what the teacher was explaining, but in her mind there were still thoughts she couldn't understand. Why did just seeing him make her nervous? What did it all mean?

  The day had begun with a new sensation, one that, although familiar, made her uncomfortable. And without realizing it, the wedding season was beginning to influence her life more than she had anticipated.

  The sun streamed through the silk curtains that adorned the windows of the Akvis family's luxurious living room.

  Selene was sitting in one of the finest armchairs in the house, with an air of disdain that only she could maintain. In her hand, she held a silver dagger, staring fixedly at the dance of shadows cast by the evening light. Her mind, however, was far from the calm serenity of her home, focused on one thing: Maximo Adrián Valois.

  She had been watching him for weeks, as if she were waiting for the right moment to approach him, to strengthen the relationship that she knew could benefit her enormously. Maximo, the Viscount's son, had become one of the most coveted figures in high society, and she had no intention of letting him escape. She had made up her mind and had already drawn up her plan. She didn't care that he didn't show the same interest as the others; she knew that, with time, he would get used to her presence. But what really bothered her was the arrival of Princess Priscilla, a young woman who, because of her title and her position, represented an obstacle.

  Selene knew that the princess was a challenge, not because of her beauty, which, although undeniable, did not make her afraid, but because of her status. The royal crown, the House of Albani, everything she represented. She knew she had to be careful, she was willing to take steps to ensure that she was not a threat to her. And no, she was not going to let a spoiled and arrogant girl like the princess stand in her way to Maximo.

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  She got up gracefully, leaving the dagger on the table and walking towards the window overlooking the garden. The gardens of the Akvis house had always been her refuge, a place where she could reflect and gather her thoughts. But today, the anger she felt could not be contained.

  —The princess…— she muttered under her breath, as if the mere mention of her name left a bitter taste in her mouth. —That spoiled child who thinks she has everything she needs just because she's the queen's granddaughter.

  Selene couldn't stop thinking about Priscilla, about how she saw her as a threat. The princess's presence had altered the dynamic at school, and although Selene tried to hide it, the discomfort she felt was palpable. The way the princess walked through the corridors, with that self-confidence, that calm that made her stand out, made her feel uncomfortable in a way she couldn't ignore.

  —Does she think she's going to win Maximus's heart just because she's a princess? — said Selene in a low voice, almost mocking. — What she doesn't know is that neither her title nor her arrogance will get her very far.

  Selene let out a bitter laugh. The thought that the princess could take Maximus away from her infuriated her. She, a simple young woman from a family with a less prestigious name, was not going to allow a newcomer to steal what she considered hers. She was not going to give in. Selene, like many in her position, knew that relationships in high society were not only based on love, but also on power, influence, and alliances. And she was willing to do whatever it took to secure her place.

  Selene let out a heavy sigh, her eyes shining with determination as she thought of the princess. “Maybe I should put her in her place, not let her think she can impose herself just because of her name,” she thought.

  She sat back down, crossing her legs with deliberate elegance, and thought about what she would do from now on. At school, everything seemed normal, but inside, the pieces were already shifting. She was sure that what she needed to do was to make a difference, to show everyone that the princess was nothing more than a young noblewoman who had been lucky enough to be born into a powerful family. However, Selene also knew that she needed a strategy. She couldn't act impulsively. Politeness, the appearance of kindness, was essential to her plans.

  —The princess… really thinks she's special…— she muttered, slowly twirling the tip of her dagger on the table. —But she will soon learn that true royalty is not just a matter of blood, but of knowing how to play one's cards.

  That night, Selene had dinner with her family, but her thoughts were still on Maximus, on the princess, and on how everything she had planned so far could be altered if she didn't act quickly. The marriage season was approaching, and she was ready to take her next step. However, the presence of Priscilla still haunted her mind like a shadow, and her anger grew stronger and stronger.

  Selene was determined to make sure the princess could not interfere with her plans. And if that meant resorting to a low blow, she would not hesitate for a second.

  Priscilla was in the palace courtyard, the cool morning air caressing her face as she concentrated on her martial arts training. The sounds of metal clashing in the air, her controlled breathing, and the precise movement of her hands and feet filled the space. Despite the serenity conveyed by her posture, something inside her was changing. Each blow she struck, each kick she executed seemed to release more than just physical tension.

  Her grandmother, the queen, watched from a respectful distance, as she always did during these

  training sessions. The queen knew that Priscilla needed more than a good teacher to be a future ruler; she needed discipline, control, and a sharp mind that could analyze situations with precision. That was why she had insisted that her granddaughter learn self-defense from a young age, not only for safety reasons, but also to maintain an attitude of strength and confidence.

  At the end of the series of movements, Priscilla lowered her guard and took a deep breath. She looked at her grandmother, who was walking slowly towards her with her unmistakable regal bearing. The queen was a woman of presence, wise and with eyes full of years of experience.

  —How do you feel, my dear? — asked the queen, watching the princess closely as she wiped the sweat from her forehead.

  Priscilla smiled slightly, but her gaze remained somewhat distant.

  —I'm fine, grandma. — she replied, although the awkwardness of the situation was beginning to get to her. She couldn't stop thinking about everything that had happened at school, about the furtive encounters with Maximus Adrian Valois, about the feelings she didn't understand and which seemed to persist, despite her efforts to ignore them.

  The queen observed her for a moment, perceiving the change in her granddaughter's attitude. She was perceptive, she knew Priscilla more than the young woman wanted to admit. After a few seconds, the queen took a step forward and, in her soft but firm tone, said to her:

  —I've noticed that your thoughts seem to be elsewhere lately. I wonder, why have you been looking at that young man so much, Maximo?

  The question hung in the air like a precisely aimed arrow. The queen was no fool, and she had always been able to read between the lines. She knew that something was brewing in her granddaughter's mind, but she would not press any further than necessary. However, he had noticed the furtive glances, the way Priscilla would lose herself in thought when she was near him.

  Priscilla was silent for a moment, her heart beating a little faster than usual. She didn't know how to respond. She couldn't admit how she felt because she didn't even fully understand what was happening. Not only that, but she didn't know if she was attracted to Maximo, she didn't know if it was his presence that disconcerted her or if it was something deeper and more confusing. The only thing she knew was that in her perfectly structured world, something so chaotic and aimless made her uncomfortable.

  —It's nothing, grandmother. — she finally said, forcing a smile. — Just another classmate. Nothing more.

  The queen stared at her, as if trying to decipher her answer. Priscilla had not been able to completely hide the uncertainty that emanated from her face. But the queen, showing no hint of suspicion, simply nodded.

  —I understand. Sometimes it's easy to get distracted by the people around us, especially when they're new in our lives. —The queen paused, looking at Priscilla with a gentle but wise smile. — Always remember that your duty is to the kingdom and your family. Don't let those feelings lead you astray.

  Priscilla nodded, although she was not completely convinced. She knew her grandmother was right, but something in her could not stop thinking about her interactions with.

  Maximus. Something about him attracted her, but she couldn't say for sure what it was. However, at that moment, she thought that perhaps it was best to move on, ignore those thoughts and not pay attention to the emotions that were beginning to surface.

  The queen seemed satisfied with her granddaughter's response and, after a moment's silence, said more lightly:

  —The marriage season is approaching, and it is important that you keep your attention on what is coming.

  Priscilla nodded again, grateful for her grandmother's wisdom, but inside, the questions remained unanswered. As she retired to get some rest before dinner, she couldn't help but wonder if she was being honest with herself when she lied to the queen. Was it just a distraction, as she had been told? Or was something else being born in her heart, something she did not yet fully understand?

  As the sun began to set, Priscilla retired to her rooms, leaving training behind her and the unresolved questions that accompanied her. Although she tried to keep her mind busy, the images of Maximo Adrián Valois kept haunting