Games of the Heart

The royal court was a stage, and every noble, knight, and servant played their part—some gracefully, others disastrously.

Princess Evangeline, of course, belonged to the latter.

At that moment, she was seated in the royal gardens, her arms crossed, glaring at the chessboard in front of her like it had personally offended her. Across from her sat King Aldric, the only man in the kingdom brave enough to challenge her without fear of a flying goblet.

"Checkmate," the King announced, his tone relaxed.

Eva scowled. "You cheated."

He laughed, stroking his graying beard. "Ah, yes. I spent years on the battlefield, leading armies, only to resort to cheating against my own daughter in a mere game of chess."

Eva jabbed a finger at the board. "You distracted me."

"By existing?"

"You coughed at a crucial moment."

The King leaned back in his chair, amused. "Perhaps, my dear, you should work on your concentration."

Before Eva could retort, a voice interrupted.

"My Lady."

Lucian had appeared, his expression unreadable as always, though the flicker of exasperation in his eyes told her he had been searching for her again.

She huffed. "What now?"

"You were scheduled to attend court training today," Lucian reminded her. "Instead, you are here… losing."

The King chuckled. "I like this one."

Eva shot Lucian a glare. "You would."

Lucian only inclined his head. "You're due in the ballroom in ten minutes, Your Highness."

Eva groaned, slumping dramatically in her chair. "What's today's torture? Walking with a book on my head? Smiling politely while people insult me?"

The King gave her a look. "You could benefit from both."

She gasped. "Treachery!"

Lucian sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. "Just be there, Princess."

As he turned to leave, Eva let out a defeated sigh. "Fine, fine. But if I suffer, you suffer."

Lucian paused, glancing back at her. "I already do."

The King roared with laughter.

---

Meanwhile…

In the bustling halls of the palace, Isolde was a woman on a mission—one that involved a certain charming knight.

Sir Cedric stood by a grand window, speaking to another nobleman. Sunlight caught the strands of his golden hair, and Isolde could swear the heavens themselves approved of his existence.

She let out a dreamy sigh.

"Oi," Tobias muttered beside her, rolling his eyes. "You're staring again."

She snapped back to reality, shooting Tobias a glare. "I am not."

"You are."

She smoothed out her skirts, standing straighter. "A lady simply appreciates fine craftsmanship when she sees it."

Tobias scoffed. "He's not a bloody vase."

But before Isolde could retort, Cedric's eyes flickered toward her, and her heart nearly leaped out of her chest. He smirked—a slow, knowing smirk that made her forget how to breathe.

Then, to her absolute delight, he strode toward her.

"My lady." His voice was like silk. "I was just about to ask if you'd accompany me for a stroll."

Isolde's mind went blank. "I—yes! Of course! Absolutely!"

Tobias stiffened. "Actually, she—"

"Shh!" Isolde hissed, shoving him aside.

Cedric chuckled, offering his arm. She took it with an almost embarrassing eagerness.

As they walked away, Tobias glared after them.

Bloody Cedric.

Bloody Isolde.

---

Elsewhere in the Palace…

Eva was trying to be ladylike. Truly.

The court ladies lined up in the ballroom, practicing their curtsies. Eva stood among them, attempting to mimic their movements. Unfortunately, her version looked more like someone barely surviving an earthquake.

"Your Highness," the instructor sighed, "you must bend gracefully, not like… whatever that was."

Eva scowled. "I am bending gracefully."

Lucian, watching from the sidelines, coughed to hide his amusement.

The instructor pinched the bridge of her nose. "Once more."

Eva sighed and tried again.

This time, she lost her balance completely, toppling into Lucian.

The entire room gasped.

Lucian caught her just in time, hands firm on her waist, keeping her steady. Their faces were dangerously close.

For a moment, neither of them moved.

Eva's heart pounded.

Lucian's gaze flickered downward—just briefly—before he quickly set her upright and stepped away.

"You need to practice more," he said, voice unreadable.

Eva scowled, mortified. "Or maybe you need to stand somewhere else."

Lucian exhaled through his nose. "Noted."

From across the room, the ladies whispered.

Eva groaned. Perfect. Another disaster.

---

Back to Tobias

He sat in the kitchen, aggressively stabbing his fork into a piece of bread.

A passing cook raised an eyebrow. "You alright, lad?"

"No," Tobias grumbled.

He didn't like this feeling. Not one bit.

Cedric was rich, powerful, and everything Tobias wasn't.

And worst of all?

Isolde liked him.

Tobias sighed, rubbing his face. Maybe it was time to accept it—he never stood a chance.