Chapter One-A Kiss, A Crash, and A Chase

Eight figures huddled on the balcony, laughter bubbling between them like stolen champagne. They had slipped away from the grandeur of the main hall, where the elite danced under chandeliers and gossiped over goblets of wine. None of the nobles knew the truth, that among them were intruders cloaked in borrowed grace.

Lola turned to the group, eyes gleaming with pride. They were happy. That was all she needed. She had risked everything to sneak them into the castle, to give them just one night beneath the same ceiling as dukes and debutantes. And now, here they were—laughing like they belonged.

"Let it never be said I lack theatrics," Lola murmured, casting her heels aside.

"What are you doing?" Ethan asked, brow raised.

But she only grinned, lifting her gown as she leapt from the balcony.

Gasps followed the sound of her landing.

"LOLA!" her friends screamed, rushing to the edge in horror.

They peered down, expecting the worst. But to their shock, Lola stood tall, brushing dirt off her skirts.

"Are you mad?" Ethan shouted, nearly breathless. "What if you'd broken something?"

"Please," Lola scoffed. "I land better than I lie." She twirled once and pointed toward the field. "Besides, if you run through the grass, water rises like a spring. It's magic."

Without waiting, she dashed barefoot across the lawn—until she stopped dead in her tracks.

"Oh no," Sophia whispered, clutching her pearls. "The dogs."

Three enormous hounds appeared from the shadows, their eyes fixed on Lola.

Lola froze, her breath hitching. "Why must it always be dogs?" she muttered, then shrieked as the beasts charged.

She turned on her heel, racing toward the grand hall like her life depended on it, which, in that moment, it might have.

Inside, the nobles were deep in merriment, oblivious to the chaos brewing outside. But their laughter stilled when the gilded doors burst open.

A young man, elegant, poised, and far too curious for his own good turned just in time to see a maiden barreling towards him, her gown a blur.

"What in heaven's…" was all he managed before she collided with him.

Together, they tumbled into the ornate fountain, the angel above them trembling from the impact. Water exploded around them in crystalline arcs.

Gasps rang through the hall.

Lola blinked, only to find herself nose-to-nose with the stranger. Their lips were locked.

Her friends skidded into the hall just in time to see it.

"By the stars," Julian groaned, dragging a hand over his face. "She had to ruin everything."

Lola's eyes widened as she yanked herself back, cheeks flushed crimson. Her gown clung scandalously to her figure.

"I…I'm terribly sorry, sir," she stammered, stumbling to her feet. "A complete accident. Let's pretend this didn't happen, yes? Be a gentleman and forget it."

She turned on her heel and bolted, soaked skirts trailing behind.

Her friends followed, panic thick in their throats. But before they reached the doors, a voice echoed across the hall.

"GUARDS. SEIZE THEM."

They froze.

"What?!" they all cried in unison.

The clinking of armour began, followed by the thundering of boots.

Lola's breath hitched. Her heart pounded as she met Ethan's eyes. "Run."

And as the guards closed in, their fate dangling by a thread, there was only one question left to answer—

Would they escape before the doors slammed shut?