In avish ballroom adorned with chandeliers and velvet drapes, I found myself exchanging nces with Max, who was known here as Ss. There was something aristocratic about the way his name rolled off the tongue, something that made you sit up a little straighter.


    "It''s just a fish," Max''s deep, gravelly voice broke through the hum of conversation. Princess Harriet, sensing the tension, motioned for more wine to be poured into my ss. I waved it away, but ude, ever the protector, stepped in. "Apologies, but our Ms. ire doesn''t drink."


    Princess Harriet didn''t press the matter. Instead, she leaned forward with an inquisitive smile. "Have you made up your mind yet? Is it going to be Kate or Lily?"


    "Both," I replied, holding up two fingers as ude tranted my silent decision.


    Harriet popped a grape into her mouth, her eyes twinkling with mischief. "Did yesterday''s incident with Lily scare you speechless?"


    I stayed silent, my gaze drifting to Harriet''s hand resting possessively on Max''s arm, a chill running through me.


    "Thinking about stealing my fiancé?" Harriet raised an eyebrow, her voiceced with mockery. "That''s not an option, darling. You can take Lily-I''d only count it as a light punishment. If you choose Kate, it''ll cost you. But try to take Ss, and it''ll cost you everything."


    I snorted, unimpressed.


    "Our Ms. ire has her own preferences," ude interjected smoothly. "Princess Harriet, ourdy isn''t feeling well today and would like to take her leave."


    I was more than ready to escape this charade of love and power, and Harriet didn''t stop me, though she did call out as I turned to leave. "Did you enjoy the gift I sentst night?"


    I froze. The ''gift'' fromst night? The man in the Echinacea room...


    ude nced at me, and I shook my head slightly.


    "Our Ms. ire retired earlyst night. She wasn''t aware of any gifts."


    Harriet''sughter rang out, echoing off the walls. "Ss, she didn''t appreciate my present."


    My fists clenched involuntarily. Did Max know about this ''gift'' all along? And yet, he hadn''t intervened!


    Fueled by a mix of fury and betrayal, I grabbed a wine ss and flung its contents at Harriet''s face.


    The room gasped collectively, shocked by my audacity-or perhaps my madness.


    I had half a mind to throttle Harriet myself. She had hurt my sister, was intent on stealing my man, and now, she had tried to pair me off with some random stranger. Enough was enough.


    Harriet''s eyes red with anger, but she turned to Max, seeking support. "Ss, are you just going to stand there?"


    Max, unruffled, looked at her with a hint of disdain. "Serythia doesn''t assist ineffectual princesses."


    Harriet''s facade crumbled, and she red at me with venom. Her n to demonstrate her ruthlessness and authority before Serythia''s Ss had backfired spectacrly.


    "Seize her and throw her to the fishes!" she shouted in ast-ditch attempt to regain control.


    But before anyone could move, Max


    stood up. Harriet, you''ve lost.


    Yesterday''s charity g was a


    disaster, and today''s tea party is no


    better. Serythia has no use for allies


    like you."


    At that moment, arger contingent of soldiers poured into the hall, taking Harriet into custody.


    Suddenly, I found myself under protection rather than threat.


    "You can''t be Ss," Harriet cried desperately. "Ss would never treat me like


    this. I''m carrying his child; he''ll have your head for this!"


    The realization dawned on her-Max wasn''t who she thought he was. What had really transpiredst night?


    I shot Max a hard look, and he had the grace to look away, avoiding my gaze.