𝒞𝒽𝒶𝓅𝓉ℯ𝓇 𝓉𝓌ℴ
𝒮𝒻𝓌 （𝓈𝒶𝒹𝓁𝓎 𝒾 𝓅𝓇ℴ𝓂𝒾𝓈ℯ 𝒾𝓉𝓈 𝒸ℴ𝓂𝒾𝓃𝑔）
𝒮ℴ𝓇𝒶𝓎𝒶 𝒳 𝒞𝒶𝓈𝓅𝒾𝒶𝓃
CHAPTER TWO
After Midnight
By the fourth night in Valedria, Soraya had decided she needed to get the hell out of the palace.
Not because she hated it. Well, not entirely.
The palace was beautiful, the food was incredible, and the view from her suite was something she could probably stare at for hours. But there was only so much polite conversation, formal dinners, royal meetings, and carefully measured smiles a person could take before they started craving something real.
And tonight wasn’t just any night.
It was an early birthday hangout with her friends.
Nothing official. Nothing royal. Just a reason to escape the palace walls, laugh too loudly, and pretend for a few hours that she was just Soraya.
Not Princess Soraya of Aurelian.
Just Soraya.
So when Amara suggested going into the city with a few of the other young royals and friends they had met during their stay, Soraya didn’t hesitate.
“Yes.”
Amara blinked. “That was fast.”
“I’ve been waiting for someone to suggest it.”
“You’re not even going to ask where we’re going?”
“No.”
“Or who is coming?”
“No.”
“Or whether we’re going to get into trouble?”
Soraya stood from her vanity and grabbed her purse.
“Especially not that one.”
Amara laughed.
“That’s exactly why I’m worried.”
Soraya glanced at herself in the mirror.
Tonight there was no emerald dress chosen by her mother’s stylist. No formal jewelry. No royal pin.
She wore a sleek black mini dress that hugged her figure just right, paired with a cropped leather jacket and strappy heels that made her legs look even longer. Gold earrings caught against her dark hair, which fell freely around her shoulders in soft curls. Her makeup was darker than what she usually wore at the palace, with glossy lips and a subtle smoky eye.
She looked like a nineteen-year-old woman going out with her friends.
Not a princess.
Exactly what she wanted.
“Do I look okay?” Amara asked.
Soraya turned.
“You look gorgeous.”
“So do you.”
Amara smiled. “We are absolutely going to make bad decisions tonight.”
Soraya grabbed her phone.
“Hopefully.”
⸻
The city looked completely different at night.
Valedria’s capital was alive beneath the glow of neon signs and streetlights, luxury cars rolling past restaurants and lounges while groups of people filled the sidewalks. The old architecture blended seamlessly with sleek glass buildings, creating a city that looked like something between a fairytale kingdom and a modern metropolis.
Soraya sat in the back of the SUV with Amara and two other girls from the Valedrian court, laughing as they argued over which club they should visit.
“No.”
“Yes.”
“Absolutely not.”
“Why?”
“Because the last time we went there, you climbed onto the bar.”
“I was drunk.”
“You were dancing.”
“Same thing.”
Soraya laughed.
For the first time in days, she felt completely relaxed.
No royal advisors.
No reporters.
No expectations.
Just her friends, music, and a night that belonged to them and a quiet celebration of her upcoming birthday that none of them were making too big a deal about, exactly the way she liked it.
The SUV eventually pulled up outside one of the most popular clubs in the capital.
The line stretched around the corner.
People were dressed in everything from sharp designer fits to bold, eye catching night out looks that turned heads without trying too hard. Music vibrated through the pavement, and the entrance was surrounded by flashing lights.
One of the girls grinned.
“Ready?”
Soraya stepped out of the vehicle.
“Absolutely.”
⸻
Inside, the club was even louder.
Music shook through the floor beneath their heels as they made their way through the crowd. Colored lights swept across the dance floor, reflecting off glasses and jewelry as people moved beneath them, lost in the rhythm.
Soraya laughed as Amara dragged her toward the center.
“You’re going to kill me!”
“Then die happy!”
They danced until Soraya’s cheeks hurt from smiling.
She didn’t think about Caspin.
Not once.
At least, that’s what she told herself.
Until someone said his name.
“Isn’t that Prince Caspin?”
Soraya froze for half a second.
She turned toward the voice.
“What?”
One of the girls pointed toward the other side of the club.
“There.”
Soraya followed her gaze.
And there he was.
Caspin.
He wasn’t dressed like the prince she’d met at the palace.
Tonight he wore black trousers and a fitted black shirt with the sleeves rolled to his forearms. The top buttons were undone just enough to make Soraya immediately regret looking.
His hair was slightly messier than usual.
His posture was relaxed.
And he was laughing with a group of friends like he didn’t carry an entire kingdom on his shoulders.
He looked…
Different.
More dangerous.
More real.
Soraya quickly looked away.
Amara noticed.
“Oh.”
Soraya frowned. “What?”
“Nothing.”
“Amara.”
“You’re staring.”
“I was looking.”
“At him.”
“I was not.”
Amara laughed.
“Girl.”
“Shut up.”
Soraya turned back toward her friends, determined to forget he was there.
She failed.
Because a few minutes later, she felt it.
That strange sensation of being watched.
She slowly looked across the room.
Caspin was staring directly at her.
Their eyes met.
Neither looked away.
His expression changed almost imperceptibly.
The playful ease faded.
His eyes moved over her face, then lower, lingering for a moment before returning to hers.
Soraya’s stomach tightened.
She raised her glass to her lips.
His gaze followed the movement.
She took a slow sip.
His jaw shifted.
Interesting.
Soraya lowered the glass.
Caspin’s mouth curved into the smallest smile.
She rolled her eyes and turned away.
But her heart was beating faster.
⸻
“Do you know him?”
Soraya looked at the girl beside her.
“Who?”
“Prince Caspin.”
Soraya nearly laughed.
“I met him when I arrived.”
“Are you two friends?”
“No.”
The answer came too quickly.
Amara gave her a look.
Soraya sighed.
“We’re not friends.”
“Enemies?”
“Something like that.”
“Something like that?”
“He’s annoying.”
Amara smiled.
“But?”
Soraya frowned. “There is no but.”
“Uh-huh.”
Before Soraya could defend herself, someone touched her shoulder.
She turned.
Caspin.
Up close, he was even more distracting.
“Princess.”
Soraya stared at him.
“Your Highness.”
His eyes flickered over her outfit again.
“You clean up well.”
She raised an eyebrow.
“You say that like I usually look bad.”
“I didn’t say that.”
“You implied it.”
His mouth curved.
“You’re putting words in my mouth.”
“Maybe I’m trying to.”
His eyes darkened slightly.
For a moment, neither of them spoke.
The music continued around them, but the space between them felt strangely quiet.
Caspin leaned closer so she could hear him.
“I didn’t know you were coming.”
“I wasn’t aware I needed to announce my plans to you.”
“You don’t.”
“Good.”
“I’d still like to know.”
Soraya’s heartbeat stumbled.
She looked up at him.
“Why?”
His gaze held hers.
“Curiosity.”
“That’s all?”
“Do you want it to be something else?”
Her lips parted.
Before she could answer, Amara appeared beside her.
“We’re getting drinks.”
Soraya blinked.
“Right.”
Caspin stepped back.
His expression returned to that familiar smirk.
“Enjoy your night, Princess.”
“You too.”
He started to walk away.
Then he glanced over his shoulder.
“Try not to get into too much trouble.”
Soraya smiled sweetly.
“No promises.”
He laughed under his breath before disappearing into the crowd.
Amara stared at her.
“What?”
“You two are ridiculous.”
“We’re not anything.”
“I didn’t say you were.”
Soraya looked away.
“Exactly.”
⸻
An hour later, Soraya had almost forgotten about him again.
Almost.
She was at the bar with her friends, laughing over something stupid when she felt someone slide onto the stool beside her.
She didn’t look.
“If you’re trying to buy me a drink, don’t.”
A familiar voice answered.
“That’s disappointing.”
Her head turned.
Caspin.
Again.
She sighed.
“Do you follow me?”
“Maybe.”
“That’s creepy.”
“You’re the one who keeps ending up where I am.”
“You’re in your own kingdom.”
“Exactly.”
She laughed despite herself.
Caspin motioned toward the bartender.
“What are you drinking?”
“I can buy my own drink.”
“I didn’t say you couldn’t.”
“Then why are you asking?”
“Because I want to buy you one.”
Soraya stared at him.
“You’re very persistent.”
“So I’ve been told.”
“Fine.”
He ordered her another drink.
When it arrived, she reached for it.
Their fingers brushed.
Neither moved immediately.
Soraya looked down.
Then up.
Caspin was already watching her.
The contact lasted only a second before she pulled her hand away.
“Thanks.”
“Anytime.”
She took a sip.
He leaned against the bar.
“You having fun?”
“Yes.”
“Good.”
“You?”
“More now.”
She nearly choked on her drink.
Caspin smiled.
“You’re terrible.”
“You’re blushing.”
“I’m not.”
“You are.”
“It’s hot in here.”
“Of course.”
She glared at him.
He looked far too pleased with himself.
Then his eyes dropped to her lips.
Soraya noticed.
This time, she didn’t pretend she hadn’t.
Her gaze fell to his mouth in return.
The smile slowly disappeared from his face.
The tension between them sharpened.
Caspin leaned closer.
Not enough to touch.
Just enough to make her aware of exactly how close he was.
“You should stop looking at me like that,” he murmured.
Soraya’s heart thudded.
“Like what?”
“Like you’re trying to figure out what I’d do if you let me.”
Her breath caught.
She swallowed.
“And what would you do?”
For the first time since she’d met him, Caspin didn’t have a clever answer ready.
His eyes searched hers.
Then his gaze dropped to her lips again.
“I think you already know.”
The words were quiet.
Almost lost beneath the music.
But Soraya heard them.
Every syllable.
Neither moved.
Then someone called his name from across the room.
Caspin closed his eyes briefly, clearly annoyed.
Soraya smiled.
“Go.”
He looked at her.
“You’re enjoying this.”
“Maybe.”
His eyes lingered on hers.
“Careful, Princess.”
“Why?”
His smile returned.
“Because I might start thinking you like me.”
Soraya leaned closer, just enough that her lips were near his ear.
“Don’t flatter yourself.”
She pulled away before he could answer.
Caspin stared at her.
Then laughed quietly.
“Goodnight, Soraya.”
It was the first time he’d used her name.
And somehow, that was worse.
