The Masked Princess

The royal masquerade ball was in full swing, a dazzling display of wealth and power. The kingdom's elite danced across the grand ballroom, their laughter mingling with the soft melodies of a live orchestra.

Hiroshi Von Drakrion, dressed in an obsidian-black suit embroidered with silver patterns, stood at the center of attention. His mask, designed with intricate filigree, covered half his face, making him even more mysterious to the onlookers.

Women whispered behind their fans, watching his every move. He was the most eligible bachelor in the kingdom—powerful, wealthy beyond imagination, and dangerously charming.

Yet, at this moment, Hiroshi only had eyes for one woman.

The masked beauty in sapphire blue.

She stood at the far end of the ballroom, radiating an aura of elegance and authority. Something about her felt... familiar. As if he had met her before, but couldn't quite place where.

Then, she turned and walked away.

Hiroshi smirked.

"Playing hard to get, are we?"

With slow, deliberate steps, he followed her through the glittering crowd.

A Dance of Shadows

The masked woman stopped at the edge of the grand balcony, overlooking the city of Eldoria. The neon skyline stretched before them, airships and hovercars gliding silently through the night.

Without turning, she spoke.

"You're quite persistent, Lord Hiroshi."

Her voice was smooth, confident—yet there was a hint of amusement hidden beneath it.

Hiroshi leaned casually against the balcony railing, smirking. "I could say the same about you. You caught my attention, then disappeared. That's not very fair, is it?"

She chuckled. "Perhaps I enjoy a little mystery."

He extended his hand. "Then, may I have this dance?"

For a moment, she hesitated. Then, slowly, she placed her gloved fingers in his.

Hiroshi led her to the ballroom floor, and as the next song began, they moved in perfect sync.

The crowd around them parted, their eyes locked onto the pair.

He was no stranger to dancing, but she matched his every step effortlessly—graceful, poised, as if she had been trained from birth.

"You're not an ordinary noblewoman, are you?" Hiroshi murmured, guiding her into a smooth turn.

She smiled. "And you're not an ordinary nobleman."

His grip tightened slightly. "Who are you?"

She leaned in closer, her lips just inches from his ear.

"Find out," she whispered.

Then, as the song ended, she broke away and disappeared into the crowd.

Hiroshi cursed under his breath.

"That woman is dangerous," Selene Arkwright's voice came from behind him.

He turned to see her standing with arms crossed, wearing a simple yet refined black-and-gold gown. Unlike the other women vying for his attention, Selene was one of the few who saw him as a rival rather than a conquest.

"You recognize her?" Hiroshi asked.

Selene frowned. "Not her face. But her movements? That level of grace only comes from royal training."

Hiroshi's eyes darkened. "You're saying she's—"

"The missing princess," Selene finished.

A Hidden Legacy

Back at the Von Drakrion estate, Hiroshi paced in his study.

His sister, Rosalyn, sat in a chair, calmly sipping her tea. "You look troubled."

"Did you know about this?" Hiroshi asked, turning to her.

Rosalyn raised an eyebrow. "That the Queen had a secret heir? I had suspicions. But now that you've seen her… it's confirmed."

Hiroshi ran a hand through his hair. "This changes everything. If she truly is the hidden princess, that means she's the rightful ruler once the Queen passes."

Rosalyn set down her cup. "Exactly. And if the wrong people find out, she'll be assassinated before she even reaches the throne."

Hiroshi exhaled. "So, what do we do?"

His sister's lips curled into a smile. "You, dear brother, will do what you do best."

He sighed. "Charm her?"

"Protect her," Rosalyn corrected. "Whether you like it or not, you're now involved in a game far more dangerous than noble politics."

Hiroshi knew she was right.

This wasn't just about his family's power anymore. This was about the fate of the entire kingdom.

The Attack

That night, Hiroshi received a message from an unknown sender.

"Meet me at the abandoned Skyhaven Theater. Midnight. Come alone."

He knew it was reckless, but something told him it was her.

As midnight approached, Hiroshi arrived at the theater in one of his custom hypercars, its sleek black frame reflecting the neon lights of the empty streets.

Stepping inside, he found the once-grand theater in ruins. Dust-covered seats, broken chandeliers, and cracked marble floors.

Then, he heard it.

Footsteps.

He turned—just in time to see the masked woman in sapphire stepping out of the shadows.

"You came," she said softly.

Hiroshi nodded. "I had a feeling it was you."

Before she could respond, a gunshot rang out.

The bullet barely missed Hiroshi's head, embedding itself in the marble wall behind him.

From the rafters above, assassins clad in black dropped down, their weapons gleaming in the dim light.

The woman's eyes widened. "It's a trap—!"

Hiroshi moved instantly, grabbing her and pulling her behind cover.

Three more shots echoed through the theater, shattering ancient pillars.

"Stay down," Hiroshi ordered, drawing a sleek black pistol from his coat.

The assassins advanced, their movements fast and deadly.

Hiroshi smirked. "Amateurs."

With precise, calculated shots, he took down two of them before they even had a chance to react.

The third lunged at him with a plasma blade, but Hiroshi dodged, twisting around and delivering a powerful kick to the attacker's ribs.

The assassin hit the ground hard, unconscious.

Silence followed.

Hiroshi turned to the woman. "You okay?"

She nodded, breathing heavily. "I should be asking you that."

He chuckled, offering his hand. "I've been through worse."

She hesitated before taking it.

For the first time, she removed her mask.

And Hiroshi's breath caught.

She was stunning, with long raven-black hair, piercing blue eyes, and a regal presence that left no doubt about her identity.

"...Princess Evelyn," he murmured.

She looked at him, her gaze filled with a mix of fear, determination, and trust.

"Hiroshi… I need your help."

For the first time in his new life, Hiroshi knew—this wasn't just about survival anymore.

This was destiny.

And he was ready for it.

End of Chapter 18.