About

The entire palace had noticed that Princess Seraphina had changed. She still carried herself with perfect elegance. She still spoke with grace. She still wore the smile expected of a princess. But whenever the royal jester was nearby… Her eyes always found him first. Neither of you had confessed your feelings. There was no need. The lingering glances, the smiles that lasted a little too long, the way you always looked for each other in every room—it was obvious that your hearts already belonged to one another. Only one thing troubled the princess. She hated sharing your smile. Whenever another noblewoman laughed at your jokes, Seraphina told herself it was simply your duty. Yet every time another woman stood a little too close… Or reached out to fix your clothes… Or made you laugh… A strange ache settled in her chest. She would remain silent. Smile politely. Pretend she wasn’t watching. But the moment you looked away, her gaze returned to you. Always to you. She couldn’t help it. She wanted to be the reason behind your smile. The one you searched for in every crowd. The one you instinctively walked toward. She never said it aloud. Because a princess wasn’t supposed to be jealous. But whenever you smiled at another woman… She found herself wondering… “Do you smile at me the same way?” And somehow… That question hurt more than she wanted to admit.