CHapter 1 * just a little fun*

Todays song is girls just want to have fun by Cyndi Lauper

First chapter hope yall like it

 enjoy it

"How is it possible that I'm friends with the most dramatic person alive?" I mutter, rubbing my temples as Elizabeth flings herself onto my bed like a poorly acted soap opera heroine.

"I'm going to die!" she wails, her voice loud enough to wake the dead—or at least get us a noise complaint.

"You're not going to die," I snap, finally losing my patience. "You're just failing science because you don't listen. I told you to take notes, El!"

"Well, excuse me for being distracted by Mr. Smith's jawline!" she fires back, sitting up with an indignant huff. "You can't tell me you didn't notice how hot he is. He's, like, model-level handsome."

"He's forty," I deadpan, crossing my arms. "And you're disgusting."

"He's a hot forty-year-old man," she counters, completely unfazed. "Did you see the way he looked at me today? I swear, I could feel the chemistry."

"There was no chemistry," I say, glaring at her. "That's just your delusion talking. Again."

Elizabeth shrugs, reclining like she's lounging on a throne. "Life's short, babe. You gotta live it. Besides, you'd miss me if I wasn't around to entertain you with my love life."

"As entertaining as watching you throw yourself at anything that moves and has a pulse?" I shoot back, smirking.

"You know you love me," she sing-songs, grinning wide. "Speaking of loving me... you're coming to Will's Halloween party, right?"

"Nope," I say without hesitation.

"Oh, come on, L! You owe me after bailing on the last one. And your mom's busy with your brother's graduation. She won't even know you're gone."

I hesitate, the weight of her pleading eyes pressing down on me. She can be exhausting, but she's also my best friend. And maybe she's right—I could use a distraction.

"Fine," I relent with a sigh. "But if I regret this even a little, I'm blaming you."

Elizabeth lets out a squeal of delight, clapping like she just won a prize. "Yes! Behind the castle walls at nine. And wear that red lingerie I bought you!"

"Absolutely not—" I start to protest, but she plants a kiss on my cheek and bolts out the door before I can finish.

Great. I'm already regretting this.

Later that night...

"I mean, I don't look half bad," I mutter, adjusting the hem of the deep green dress I've chosen. The fabric hugs my figure perfectly, the high slit on the side adding just enough edge without being over the top.

Before I can admire myself further, a sharp knock at the door makes me jump. Grabbing a towel to cover up, I swing the door open to find Victor leaning against the frame, his arms crossed and his expression far too smug for my liking.

"Why do I feel like you're up to something?" he asks, his eyes narrowing slightly.

"I'm not," I reply quickly, trying—and failing—to sound convincing. "I'm just getting ready for bed."

Victor's gaze drops to the towel in my hands, then back to my face. He raises an eyebrow. "Right. Because towels are so essential for sleeping. What's going on, Lilith?"

Rolling my eyes, I step aside to let him in. "What do you want, Victor?"

"Can't a guy check in on his favorite cousin?" he teases, flopping onto my bed like he owns it.

"Favorite cousin? Yeah, right," I reply sarcastically, pulling two dresses from my closet.

"Help me choose," I say, holding up a short black number and the green gown I've been debating.

Victor sits up, tilting his head as he studies both options. "What's the occasion?"

"William's Halloween party," I admit, knowing there's no point in lying to him.

"The green one," he says without hesitation. "It brings out your eyes. The black's too predictable."

"Thanks, fashion guru," I reply dryly, slipping into the green dress. When I turn to face him, his slow clap of approval makes me laugh despite myself.

"Just like a princess," he says, grinning. "Perfect."

I glance at my reflection in the mirror but feel no excitement about the night ahead. Victor notices, his grin fading. "What's with the face? You don't look happy about this."

I hesitate, adjusting the strap of my dress. "It's not about the party. It's just... doing this feels like a waste of time. I've got too much to do to be dressing up and pretending like I care about this nonsense."

Victor raises an eyebrow. "Too much to do? Like what? Jesus, Lilith, you study all day and barely come out of your room."

"It's been ages since the king has called for my presence," I reply sharply.

Victor sighs. "Oh, Lilith, you're still obsessed with that? You don't have to prove anything to him. Stop trying to."

I meet his gaze, my jaw tightening. "Do you know how exhausting it is to constantly feel like I'm just this... non-existent shadow in their lives? I'm a princess, Victor, but I might as well be invisible. Everything I do—everything I've been trying to do—it's like it doesn't even matter to them."

Victor's expression softens, but I press on, the fire in my chest pushing me forward. "I want them to see me. To actually recognize me for who I am. Not just the spare. Not just their backup plan if something happens to my brother. I want to stop fading into the background of their perfect little kingdom and finally take control of my life."

Victor sits up straighter, watching me with an intensity I rarely see in him. "You're already doing that, L. Whether they see it or not, you're doing more than enough. You're stronger than half the royal family combined, and honestly, if they don't see it, that's their loss."

I offer him a small smile, appreciating his words even if they don't fully soothe the ache inside me. "Thanks, Victor. But I'm not going to stop until they do."

"That's fine," he says with a nod. "Because they don't know what they're missing."

The weight in the room lifts slightly, and Victor leans back, his playful grin returning. "Speaking of people who don't ignore you... is Elizabeth going tonight?"

The sudden change in topic catches me off guard, and I smirk. "Why do you care?"

Victor groans, running a hand through his hair. "Don't start. I was just asking, you know."

"You still have that huge crush on her, don't you?" I tease, raising an eyebrow.

He looks away, embarrassed.

Victor's had a crush on her since we were little, but every time he tries talking to her, he ends up making a fool of himself.

I laugh, shaking my head. "Victor, she flirts with everyone. If anything, she's the one out of control, not you."

"That's what I mean," he says, exasperated. "She's so far out of my comfort zone, I don't even know how to talk to her without sounding like an idiot."

"You don't have to try to impress her," I point out. "Just be yourself. You're cocky enough for most people, so why not her?"

Victor grins, but it's tinged with nervousness. "Easier said than done. What if I say something stupid? Or worse—what if she laughs in my face?"

"Then you'll survive," I say simply. "You've survived worse—like the time you fell off your horse trying to impress that girl from the neighboring kingdom."

"Why do you always bring that up?" he groans.

"Because it's funny," I reply with a laugh. "And because it proves you've survived plenty of embarrassment and come out just fine. Trust me, Elizabeth isn't going to laugh at you. Well... not unless you do something really dumb."

Victor smiles, standing from the bed. "Thanks, L. You're not as bad as you act, you know that?"

"Don't get used to it," I tease. "Now, go. I've got a party to get through."

Victor pauses at the door, glancing back at me. "For what it's worth, Lilith, you're already more than just a shadow. They'll see it someday. But even if they don't, you don't need them to prove your worth."

The words hang in the air long after he's gone, and as I finish getting ready, I can't shake the feeling that tonight might just hold more surprises than I'm prepared for