SCENE Ari extended her gloved hand, tilting her head ever so slightly, a teasing glint in her eye. "Care to honor me with a practice dance?" she asked. Rowan felt his heart lift, but he masked the joy with a composed smile. "Sure," he replied coolly. He took her gloved hand with a gentle, almost princely grace and brought it to his lips with a playful smirk. "An honor, Princess Ari," he said, bowing slightly, though his violet eyes sparkled with quiet joy. As the orchestra began the soft swell of a classical waltz, they stepped onto the marble floor, golden chandeliers casting radiant reflections in their eyes. Ari's lavender gown flowed like a dream with every movement, and Rowan guided her effortlessly, his hand resting at her waist, their steps perfectly in sync, as though they'd rehearsed the waltz countless times. Ari smiled softly—whether from the music or the familiar comfort of Rowan's touch, she couldn't say. But for a brief, beautiful moment, everything else faded away—the giggling princesses, the whispering nobles, even her own thoughts of Lucien. "You're not so bad at this," Ari teased, looking up at him. "And you're a lot lighter on your feet than the girl who once tripped over her own shadow," Rowan replied with a smirk. Their laughter was quiet, intimate, and easy. The tension dissolved into a shared warmth. All the while, the other princes danced around them—some with grace, some fumbling—but none possessed the quiet, magnetic understanding that glowed between Ari and Rowan in that fleeting moment.
SCENE Two days later, Ari and Flora sat near a marble fountain in the palace garden. The air smelled of roses and fresh rain, and the water's gentle trickling played like background music to their conversation. Flora leaned on her elbow dreamily, watching the ripples. "Do you know what Edward likes… or his type?" she asked, trying to sound casual, though her voice trembled with hope. Ari leaned in, raising an eyebrow with a sly smile. "Why don't you ask him yourself?" Flora blushed and quickly looked away. "What? Uh… no. I was just wondering." Ari's teasing faded into something sincere. She watched Flora for a moment, then said seriously, "He likes you." Flora's eyes widened, her cheeks flushing a soft pink. She lowered her gaze, visibly flustered but unable to stop the smile tugging at her lips. The fountain sparkled behind her like a fairytale mirror. "You're not lying, right?" she whispered, peeking at Ari through her lashes. Ari chuckled softly and leaned back on her hands. "Why would I lie? I've seen the way he looks at you." She paused. "He really likes you." Flora covered her cheeks with both hands, trying to cool the heat rising in her face. "Oh my gods, I can't believe this… I mean, Edward… he's so perfect. And I've liked him for so long…" She turned to Ari, excitement lighting up her features. "Do you think I should confess?" Ari smiled warmly. "If you feel it's the right time… maybe you should. You deserve to be happy, Flora. And I know he'd be happy too." Flora took a deep breath and looked down at the water. Her reflection shimmered like a dream. Her fingers lightly touched the petals of a rose in her lap. "Then I'll do it," she whispered.
SCENE Two days later, two palace soldiers were escorting Ari—who had drunk far too much wine—back to her chambers. She staggered between them, cheeks flushed, giggling with a mischievous glint in her eyes. "Oh… you…" she said to the soldier on her right, pointing a gloved finger dramatically. "Don't you touch me! Because I'll touch you first!" She swayed, then turned to the other soldier with a playful grin and reached up to ruffle his hair. "Ohhh, I'm gonna eat you~!" The soldiers looked at each other, unsure whether to be alarmed or amused. Just then, Rowan appeared at the end of the corridor, tall and sharp-eyed. Ari's eyes lit up instantly. "Oooh… look who's here!" she sang out dramatically. "The beloved prince!" She suddenly grabbed Rowan's wrist, pulling him closer with surprising strength. Rowan barely had time to react. Ari leaned against his chest, her eyes glazed and voice sultry. "Still so… princely," she purred. "Mmm. Do you come here often~?" The two soldiers stood frozen, glancing at Rowan for direction. Rowan sighed, trying to steady her gently. "Ari… you're drunk," he said with firm but kind patience. "Nuh-uh," Ari replied with a stubborn pout. "I'm… completely functional." She swayed again, then reached up and poked his cheek. "You know… you're really handsome when you're serious. No wonder Ceiley and Julia keep sighing over you…" Rowan's ears turned slightly red. He cleared his throat. "Alright. That's enough wine for a century." Without another word, he scooped her into his arms. Ari giggled like a mischievous child, her arms lazily wrapping around his neck. "Rowaaaan," she whispered like sharing a royal secret. "You smell good. Like… like books and moonlight." Rowan gave the soldiers a tired nod. "I'll take care of her." As he carried her away, Ari murmured dreamily, "You're my best friend… don't tell Lucien I said that… or maybe do. I dunno. He'll bite me again anyway…" Rowan smiled faintly, rolling his eyes. "You're impossible." Ari giggled, eyes fluttering closed, already drifting off in his arms.
SCENE Before Rowan could walk away, Ari suddenly grabbed his wrist. Her eyes were glazed with thirst—deep, unrelenting thirst. She had always wondered how Rowan's blood might taste, and now, her hunger overrode all sense. "Don't go, prince!" she said in a breathy, trembling voice. "Just one bite… I'll take and leave you!" She leaned in, her fangs glinting as she swayed closer to his neck. Rowan immediately held her by the shoulders, trying to push her back gently but firmly. "Ari, stop," he warned, but she kept advancing, eyes wild and fangs bared. "Ahh… just one bite, prince…" she whispered desperately, swaying toward his throat. In a flash, Lucien appeared behind her. His arms wrapped tightly around her—one circling her waist, the other clamping against her lips just before her fangs could sink into Rowan's skin. Ari struggled in his grip, her breath ragged with thirst. Rowan, chest rising and falling from the tension, looked directly at Lucien. "Control her," he said sharply, his tone laced with warning. "Or I will." Lucien smirked, tightening his hold on her tummy, pulling Ari against him until her back was fully pressed to his chest. "Don't worry, Your Highness," he said smoothly. Ari's body resisted for a moment, but the scent of Lucien's blood—warm, familiar, intoxicating—was already flooding her senses. Her instincts took over. She turned slightly in his grasp, her fangs piercing into the flesh of his forearm. Lucien winced, a low sound escaping his lips—not of pain alone, with pleasure and something darker. His crimson eyes gleamed with pleasure. "That's it, my flame… take what you need," he murmured, voice breathy and indulgent. Ari sucked deeply, her fingers curling weakly against his sleeve. Her trembling slowly faded, replaced by a soft, dizzy calm. Her lips relaxed, her eyes fluttered closed, and she collapsed limply into Lucien's arms. Lucien lowered them both slowly to the ground, cradling her across his lap with delicate care. Rowan stepped forward, his expression a mix of concern and disbelief. He met Lucien's gaze. "Thank you," he said quietly. "For stopping her." Lucien didn't look up at him right away. He gazed down at the girl lying against him—the girl who had become his weakness. "I'm the one who made her like this," he said, voice heavy with guilt. "So I'm also responsible for it. I won't let her fall into bloodlust." Rowan gave a small nod. A fragile, unspoken truce passed between them. Lucien gently brushed a lock of hair from Ari's face. His voice dropped to a whisper, raw and reverent. "Rest, my flame… I'll bear your thirst, as many times as it takes."