We talked for a few more moments as the dancing continued. "Did you see the fountain on the way in? My father wants to have one commissioned just like it with our family crest! Right in the middle of the courtyard. And do you know what else?"

"What?" Katia leaned in, invested in my story.

"He wants to put a swan in it! A pet swan! Can you believe that?" I shook my head and gave an exaggerated sigh. "That man, I swear sometimes I don't know what to do with him."

"Really?" Katia gave an adorable chuckle. "We have swans at the lake near our manor! Perhaps he may find one he likes there," she laughed. She's just so... innocent. And pure. I couldn't contain the cuteness overload as I continued to interact with her, making light conversation.

That gave me an idea. "Katia, you really must visit our estate some time. We can have some tea, and walk around our flower garden... what do you say?"

At this, Katia was hesitant. She knew of her lower status, and she gazed down at her folded hands. "Oh, well... I don't know..."

I took her hands in mine and gave them a firm shake. "Oh, you must consider it at least, Katia! We would have an amazing time."

As she thought about my offer, I saw Roland making his way in our direction. Silently, I gave Katia a slight nudge in the princes direction to alert her, and then a wink. I quickly leaned toward her and whispered, "Remember—ask about his horse. That's your opening." I mouthed. Her eyes widened and she nodded, as she took the prince's hand.

Our eyes met for a moment as Roland led Katia to the dance floor. I gave him a nod, and a slight wink, which seemed to confuse him, but he was lost in the music as the dance consumed them. As I watched, I felt like a proud parent. I never thought I would get to see them dance in person... they're so sweet. They're made for each other. The way he looked at her, completely mesmerized... it was better than any novel page.

I had been so focused on survival—on fixing Rosaria's reputation, securing Julian's future, rooting out corruption in the Dukedom—that I had nearly forgotten the most important thing. The story must unfold as it was meant to. It was a comforting feeling, to sit on the sidelines and watch the story my dear friend had poured her heart and soul into coming to life.

No matter what happened, Roland and Katia had to end up together. Their union would set the stage for the next generation of heroes—the ones who would one day rise against the Shadow Walkers. If I interfered too much, if I changed the story in a way that threw them off course, the entire continent could suffer for it. So I had to be careful. I clenched my hands into fists, grounding myself. That was my true purpose here—not just to survive, but to make sure that history remained intact. Not only for my own survival, but for Julia's sake.

"Ah, you look so sharp, dearest daughter!"

I turned to see my father beaming at me, jolting me from my thoughts. He was oblivious to the many nobles throwing him disapproving glances for speaking so loudly. Julian stood beside him, rubbing his temples in exasperation.

"Father," I sighed, "you're drawing attention."

"Nonsense!" Duke Leeland grinned. "I'm merely admiring how elegant you look tonight! And your brother, too—look at how responsible he is! A fine young man in the making!"

Julian looked ready to crawl under the refreshment table.

I couldn't help but smile, though. As much as my father was a fool, he was a good fool. And that's why I had to protect him.

I turned back to the ballroom just in time to see Roland bow to Katia, their dance ending. She curtsied gracefully, and as they parted, I caught a glimpse of the Crown Prince's expression. He was clearly enamored by the soft spoken and kind Katia.

As the ball went on and the dances finally concluded, the hall had grown silent. The music had stopped, and all eyes were on the grand dais at the head of the room, where the King and Crown Prince sat. The air was thick with anticipation. This was the moment. The announcement of the Crown Princess.

I knew the result—I had read it, after all.

King Edric leaned toward his son, his expression carefully neutral but with an unmistakable edge of steel behind his eyes. They shared a knowing look with each other, but I could tell that Roland's heart was conflicted. In his mind, he thought this was right for his kingdom—but his heart had just been stolen by another woman, someone he could not have.

"Loyal subjects of Bakner," his voice rang out, steady and commanding, "it is with great consideration that we have come to our decision regarding the Crown Princess."

The crowd held its breath. Some of the candidates looked eager, others nervous. "As always, this choice has been made in the best interest of the Kingdom. The future of Bakner must be secured with a bride who will stand beside the Crown Prince with unwavering loyalty, whose family has proven their dedication to the crown time and time again."

I stood cooly, in stark contrast to the nerves of some of the other candidates around me. I already knew the outcome of this night... and while doubt gnawed in me from the unexpected first dance earlier, I knew that little I did would influence the king's iron decision.

"But above all," King Edric continued, his gaze sweeping over the room before landing on me, "this decision is one that has been made with the full support of the Crown Prince himself. And so, by the will of the Crown, the future Princess of Bakner shall be..."

My hands curled into fists, nails pressing into my palms. I was prepared for the weight of his decision. Once he dropped my name, I would be under intense scrutiny.

"Rosaria Leeland."

The room erupted into murmurs, gasps, a few barely concealed sneers.

I let out a slow breath. I had known this would happen. This was my role.I shifted my gaze toward the Crown Prince, expecting cold disinterest as it had been in the novel. Instead, I found Roland watching me intently, his expression unreadable. That's good. At least he doesn't hate me.

As the weight of the political decision settled, the orchestra began to play, and I felt the weight of a hundred gazes as I walked up to the head table to take my position beside Roland. He gave me a kind smile, which I returned weakly. Now, we would stand together as all of the nobles came to congratulate us.The thought made me want to gag. But I knew how important this moment was.

Nobles came forward, offering their "sincerest" congratulations as I sat awkwardly next to the prince, wearing the tiara designated for the fiance of the Crown Prince. I dared not say a word to him as I flashed a fake smile and gratitude at the nobles streaming by, trying to make the best impression possible. I knew I was under intense scrutiny, especially because of my reputation as the Petulant Serpent of the Leeland Duchy.

As the line finally began to wane, and I said thank you to Baron Rothsprike and his wife, I caught a glimpse out of the corner of my eye. It was Chancellor Veltin, talking with my father.

"Your Highness, what do you think of the Chancellor?" I said carefully. Roland looked surprised, as if that was the last thing he expected his new fiance's first words to him to be.

"Ah, he's a kind man. Somewhat odd, but he's always been loyal to my father. They've been friends since childhood, and he's the man who helped raise me."

So you think of him fondly, do you? I sighed, recalling this information from the novel as well. It seemed Chancellor Veltin was a skilled man, and had the Royals wrapped around his fingers. It would not be an easy task to pry them off.

As I tried to make some small talk with the prince, I felt an eerie gaze at the back of my neck, and turned. Chancellor Veltin was looking at me. Directly at me. His beady eyes seemed to form with recognition, and there was no doubt about it. He knew me. But how? I wracked my brain. There was nothing about Rosaria and Chancellor Veltin knowing each other, not in Julia's novel and certainly not in our brainstorming.

He knows something. My bones chilled. But what?

My gut dropped as he gave me a cheesy grin, and mouthed, "Well done." My blood ran ice cold, and I felt my palms grow sweaty.

What?

"Rosaria, I—" Roland looked like he wanted to say something to me, but I stood up sharply, my wineglass cupped in my hands.

I left the head table, making my way directly toward where Chancellor Veltin talked with my father, slipping him some sort of substance, which my father jovially accepted. Well done? What could he mean? Was the original Rosaria working for the Chancellor?

My pace quickened as I made a beeline for them. Leaving the prince's side had caused gasps to ripple through the crowd, but I ignored them. This was different from the novel, this was foreign. Something I couldn't predict. Something dangerous. I had to get to the bottom of it.

Then, I collided with something, nearly tripping. As I turned to see what it was, my breath caught in my throat. In front of me stood Katia, sweet innocent Katia, the front of her dress covered in wine from my spilled glass. The sound of glass breaking echoed through the ballroom as I dropped the now empty glass of wine and I stood there, shocked.

"I—Katia, it was an accident, I..."

Whispers began to spread through the room as people watched the scene unfold, but Katia only stood there shocked at the entire situation. She froze, her eyes wide as the wine seeped into the delicate fabric, staining it like fresh blood. Panic flickered across her face. Oh no.

"How typical of that petulant serpent."

"She never could stand to see another woman outshine her."

"Utterly disgraceful."

I stood rooted in place, feeling the weight of their gazes, like hungry wolves who had just found their prey. Then, another voice cut through them. The prince.

"What is the meaning of this?" He parted through the crowd, taking off his coat and wrapping it around the frozen Katia.

My words choked in my throat as tears welled in my eyes. "I..."

But I was too late. Before I could defend myself, Roland turned, parting the crowd to lead Katia through a side door. "Come, we'll find you something to change into," he murmured, his voice gentle yet firm. He led Katia away, disappearing into the corridors of the palace, but before he did, he cast me a disappointed expression.

It's just like in the novel.

And just like that, whatever progress I had made was undone.

I forced my expression to remain neutral, my heart hammering in my chest. This couldn't be happening—not now. Not when I had made so much progress. With the other noble ladies, with my father. With Katia. With the Prince. Even if I had wanted to change my fate, there was no escaping the story's pull.

I bit back the tears, trying to compose myself once more as a servant swiftly swept the glass pieces off the floor and the idle chatter of the ballroom resumed, forgetting about my small disturbance. I clenched my fists, drawing blood from my palm with my nails, as I steadied myself with a shaky breath. Chancellor Veltin, who had previously been chatting with my father, was nowhere to be seen.

And so, I was back to square one.