Catherine smiled, a dazzling expression that seemed to illuminate the dimly lit hall. Her beauty was utterly captivating, leaving many of the younger nobles staring at her with wide eyes and slackened jaws. Whispers rippled through the crowd, admiration and awe evident in their voices.
Amid the sea of stunned faces, one pair of eyes burned with something far more intense. The Crown Prince of the Blood Jewel Kingdom, a tall and commanding figure with striking features and an air of entitlement, fixated on Catherine. His ruby-red eyes blazed with determination as he watched her descend the stairs with effortless grace.
"She is perfection incarnate," he murmured to himself, his voice low but resolute. His hand clenched around the ornate goblet he held, the crimson liquid within rippling with his subtle show of strength.