Your Highness

Prince Spencer glanced behind him, as if wondering whether he should just walk back into the ballroom, but then suddenly he made a grim expression as if he'd just seen something unpleasant and simply stepped to the side to hide himself from view of anybody inside.

Carina shook off her initial surprise of suddenly being met with another prince, and simply awkwardly glanced at her feet, wondering if maybe she should be the one to leave.

"Sorry." Spencer spoke up suddenly, causing Carina to raise her head up and lock eyes with him. "I didn't know there was somebody else out here."

Carina's mouth felt oddly dry as she continued to look at this man, feeling as if his beauty was causing her thoughts to get muddled in her head. "There's no need for you to apologise, Prince Spencer. If you'd like to be alone, I'll go back inside."

Spencer shook his head. "It's fine. You were here first after all, Miss...?"

"Carina Rayburn." Carina introduced herself, feeling more and more that this must be some dream of hers. To have met both princes just minutes within each other, surely this was just some elaborate fantasy her mind has created.

"I must be dreaming..." Carina mumbled to herself, eyebrows furrowed, her eyes focused on her feet, determinedly gazing at it as if it held all the answers in the world.

Spencer tilted his head to the side, confused. "Miss Rayburn, you are awake."

Carina coughed, her cheeks flushing in embarrassment. "Right, yes, of course. Don't mind me, Your Highness, I'm just speaking nonsense. The Champagne must've gone to my head."

"It's alright. You must make sure to take care of yourself. Too much alcohol can be harmful to your body."

At this moment Carina realised something.

Prince Spencer was not at all like the rumours said. The rumours had made him out to be an unapproachable, power hungry soldier, as if he didn't care for anything other than fighting and strength. There were some rumours too that said he was violent and was hard to please and would lash out at the smallest of inconveniences, making most people fear him.

Carina looked at this man and realised none of it was true. Spencer was incredibly handsome, that was true, but he wasn't unapproachable. He seemed kind, and thoughtful, and certainly better than his brother who seemed exactly like the rumours she heard of him.

She sighed, and wondered how both brothers could be so different to each other.

"Is something on your mind, Miss Rayburn?" Spencer asked, concerned.

Carina saw that his concern was genuine and smiled one of those rare, real smiles she usually reserved for someone she trusted, like Marie, or someone she actually liked, like Rosalie.

Spencer's breath caught in his throat at the sight.

"It's nothing you need to worry about, Your Highness, but thank you for the concern."