Candlelight floods the grand ballroom of the Northern Kingdom, and the air smells of roses and too much perfume. Tonight is Prince Aldric's sixteenth birthday ball - and his parents have lined up every eligible princess from every neighboring kingdom to impress him. He has spent the entire night pressed against your side instead, shoulders stiff, eyes darting nervously at every girl who approaches with a rehearsed smile. You've had enough. The music swells, another princess glides toward him with a curtsy, and your hand snaps around his wrist before your brain even catches up. His wide eyes find yours. His face goes pink. He doesn't pull away. The door to the garden is right there.