Deacon''s POV


    Standing upright with my hands sped behind my back, paced the length of the corridor outside the pce''s eastern wing. From here, I could hear the faint echoes of music andughter from my aunt''s birthday banquet. But I couldn''t hear it well enough to distinguish whether it was augh of enjoyment or ridicule.


    I was restless.


    Mybat boots hit the polished marble of the hallway with an echo as I paced around the hallway, the long ck coat that draped over me and was barely shielding me from the pce''s cold evening breeze.


    I had every intention of staying in my office tonight, busying myself with work and waiting for some passing attendant to infor me how the evening went for Elena, but my worry kept me from working.


    And the moment I heard she had epted the invitation ande to the pce, I couldn''t sit still.


    So before I knew it, here I was, stalking the corridor like a warrior in hostile territory.


    She had been in there far too long already.


    Ltrust her-truly, I did. Elena had fought battles, led warriors, endured trials most nobles couldn''t even imagine in their worst nightmares. But this... this wasn''t a battlefield you could conquer with a sword. This was something crueller-where words were des and smiles were poison


    Those socialite women knew how to kill without leaving blood behind.


    Damn it.


    A quiet curse left my lips as I clenched my jaw. The thought of her alone there, surrounded by whispering noblewomen, my mother, my aunt-the Grand Princess-gnawed at myposure.


    "Your Highness," Tyson said carefully from where he leaned against the stone pir behind me, "you''ve been out here for half an hour already. People are beginning to whisper."


    "Let them," I replied curtly, not even ncing his way. "I don''t care what they say."


    He straightened and moved into my path, halting my steps. "You''re worried about Princess Elena."


    I let out a sharp breath. "Of course I''m worried. Do you think I don''t know how they treat people like her there? Divorced. Once shamed. Now on the rise again. That alone threatens their delicate egos.".


    He didn''t speak, but the silence between us was enough. I ran a hand down my face and added, "My mother. The Grand Princess. Bryson''s family... That party is like a lion''s den."


    "The men at the banquet won''t be a problem," Tyson said, offering a slight shrug. "I overheard a few of them before. They only had praise for her. Most are just jealous of you for winning someone like her."


    A humourless chuckle escaped me. "Of course they are. Elena is twice the person most of them will ever be. But it''s not the men I''m worried about." I gave him a sideways nce. "It''s the women. Status-obsessed wolves in pearls."


    He hesitated, then asked, "Do you want me to check on her?"


    I considered it... But the idea of waiting even another minute grated on my nerves. Besides, Elena''s an


    independent woman. I didn''t want to seem overbearing and be hated by her if she saw me sending someone to spy on her.


    "No," I said, shaking my head as my worry intensified. "I''m done waiting."


    With a quick turn, I marched down the corridor toward the banquet hall. Tyson followed a few paces behind, but I could hear the nervous shift in his steps. We had barely rounded the corner when he stopped suddenly.


    "There she is," he muttered.


    And there she was.


    Elena emerged from the event hall like a queen returning from battle. Her elegant dress shimmered with every step, her posture regal, her expression unbothered- as if the venomous words and judgmental eyes hadn''t even grazed her. I froze for a heartbeat, just staring.


    She looked radiant.


    A slow exhale slipped from my lips. "She did it."


    Tyson chuckled beside me, awed. "Princess Elena is really astonishing. I don''t think there''s anyone who can beat her at anything."


    I smiled, warmth and pride stirring in my chest. "After everything she''s been through... no one on this earth can beat her anymore."


    With a nod of farewell, I dismissed him silently. He gave me a sly, knowing grin before bowing and walking off." Best of luck, Prince Deacon."


    I moved forward and met her halfway down the hallway. She turned her head at


    my approach, her eyes lighting up a little when she saw me.


    "How was the party?" I asked softly.


    She rolled her eyes, exhaling augh through her nose. "It was... okay."


    I arched a brow. "That doesn''t sound convincing."


    Sighing, she shook her head. "This pce is full of drama."


    That earned a smallugh from me. "Tell me something I don''t know."


    For a few moments, we stood there, just the two of us, the tension easing with our quiet exchange. Then I offered her my arm.


    "Walk with me?"


    She hesitated, just for a moment, before her hand slipped into the crook of my elbow. "dly."


    We strolled away from the main hall, deeper into the pce grounds, toward my private wing. As we passed the quiet courtyards and stone corridors, Elena paused-her eyes widening when we stepped into the candlelit garden patio.


    A small table was set with silver trays, warm food under domes, wine sses


    filled, and candles flickering gently between bouquets of moonlilies.


    "I thought we were just going for a walk," she said, surprisedly blinking.


    I shrugged and stepped forward, pulling her chair out for her. "I figured you didn''t eat at the party."


    Sheughed softly, her eyes warm as she took her seat. "As always, you guessed right."


    I sat across from her and poured the wine. As we clinked sses and settled into a meal away from the chaos, the


    tension melted further.