The morning before the grand ball arrived with a soft drizzle against the palace windows, but inside Stella's chamber, there was a peculiar stir of excitement. A royal attendant, dressed in the deep navy and silver of House Ravenstone, approached the princess's quarters, a long, rectangular box of gleaming mahogany in his hands.
The maid, Mari, opened the door hesitantly, gasping as she spotted the Duke's crest — the raven engraved in silver wax.
"For Lady Stella," the attendant announced, bowing low. "With the Duke's compliments."
He placed the package on the table and departed, leaving the room brimming with curiosity.
Stella, seated by the window with a book in hand, arched a brow. "Another letter from the Duke?"
"Not just a letter, my lady," Mari whispered, motioning towards the lavish box. "It must be… something valuable."
Stella rose gracefully, her bare feet silent on the rug, and broke the wax seal. Inside was a letter written in Kayden's precise, elegant hand:
'For tomorrow's ball. It would honor me to see you in this. Midnight blue, a shade worthy of the sky's most precious star.'
She rolled her eyes, a faint smile playing at her lips. The man knows how to spin words…
But when she opened the box, even her breath caught for a moment.
A gown of midnight blue silk, ethereal and shimmering, lay folded within. The fabric was light as mist, embroidered with thread-of-silver in the patterns of trailing vines and tiny starbursts. And beside it, in a velvet-lined case, sat a set of breathtaking jewels: sapphire drop earrings, a bracelet of woven silver and sapphire beads — and a necklace with a single, flawless sapphire, deep as a midnight sky, hanging from an intricate chain of silver.
The maids gathered around gasped in awe.
"Heavens above…" Mari breathed. "That necklace — it must be worth enough to buy a manor."
"They match her highness's eye color"
"They say sapphires of this depth only come from Ravenstone's sacred mines," another maid whispered. "This isn't a simple gift, my lady."
"I… see," Stella murmured, brushing her fingers over the gem. What are you planning, Kayden?
"Should we send our thanks?" Mari asked eagerly.
"No," Stella said, closing the box carefully. "We'll answer him tomorrow… at the ball."
The evening air was cool and crisp as Stella stepped out of the palace entrance, the rich navy of her gown catching the moonlight, her sapphire necklace resting delicately against her skin like a frozen drop of midnight. The maids fussed over the last details before the carriage arrived, their voices fluttering with excitement.
When the Ravenstone crest-marked carriage pulled up, Stella braced herself — though she knew this was all an act, her chest felt heavier than usual tonight.
The door opened, and there he stood.
Duke Kayden, in midnight blue, his coat adorned with subtle silver embroidery that reflected the same patterns as her gown. Even his cravat pin was a sapphire to match hers.
For a moment, she was sure the whole world went quiet.
"Lady Stella," he greeted, offering his hand with a half-smile, his gaze briefly lingering on the necklace at her throat.
Stella placed her gloved hand in his, her fingers light, her composure steady. "You came to escort me yourself, Duke? I thought you'd send a messenger."
"Even an act deserves proper attention," he said with a teasing edge in his voice. "Besides — it would be discourteous to send a gift and not witness how it suits its wearer."
She allowed herself a soft, practiced smile, though something tugged painfully in her chest. It's all for the plan. For appearances…
As he helped her into the carriage, she settled against the velvet cushions and glanced out at the moonlit streets.
"Thank you," she said quietly after a moment. "For… coming to escort me . For this whole arrangement."
Kayden looked at her, a flicker of something softer in his expression. "I promised to help you keep your composure in this court of vipers, didn't I?"
"You did," she whispered, though her heart ached. But it's all a performance.
A long silence stretched between them, filled only by the sound of the horses' hooves on cobblestones.
"I… sometimes forget it's only an act," Stella confessed softly, eyes still on the night sky. "That it's just your way of protecting yourself. And me."
He didn't reply for a moment — then, his voice was low. "It's an act, Stella. But it doesn't mean I don't mean the kindness I show you. You're… easier to be around than most."
Her heart squeezed at that, though she masked it with a small smile.
"Then let's play our roles to perfection tonight, Duke," she said lightly. "The whole ballroom will be watching."
He smirked, as if the tension had lifted. "Wouldn't have it any other way."
The carriage rolled on through the gates of the royal palace, the looming towers bright with candlelight and music already spilling into the courtyard. As the footman opened the door, Kayden stepped out first and turned, extending his hand to Stella once more.
The murmurs from waiting nobles and servants began the instant she stepped down beside him — her sapphire-clad form a vision of midnight elegance, his presence at her side undeniable.
As they walked together towards the grand doors of the ballroom, side by side, Stella knew her heart shouldn't flutter like this.
The grand ballroom doors opened, and all eyes immediately shifted toward the pair — Duke Kayden and Lady Stella, standing together in the entrance as though they were a perfect match. The room was alive with whispers, and Stella felt a few eyes linger on her, not just for the spectacle of her gown, but for the undeniable connection between her and the Duke.
As they walked in, the soft, golden light of chandeliers highlighted the royal blue of her dress, making the sapphire necklace gleam like a jewel in the night sky. Her steps were poised, but inside, a flutter of unease settled deep in her chest. This is just for the act, she reminded herself. This isn't real.
Kayden's gaze never wavered from her as they approached the center of the ballroom, his hand casually placed at the small of her back as if to reinforce their connection. He knew how to play the role so perfectly — every glance, every movement calculated to project a sense of affection, even though it was all for the sake of rumors.
They reached the dance floor, and all around them, whispers grew louder. The nobles were eager to see how their performance would unfold. Stella felt her nerves creep up as the music played softly in the background.
"You look radiant, Lady Stella," Kayden murmured just before taking her hand, leading her to the center.
Before she could respond, the distinct sound of heavy footsteps reached her ears, followed by a sharp voice that cut through the air.
"What is this?" came Arthur's voice, a hint of protectiveness coating his words as he approached. His eyes were locked on the Duke, brows furrowed with clear suspicion.
Kayden paused for a moment, but he didn't let go of Stella's hand. He greeted Arthur with a polite nod. "Ah, Prince Arthur, I'm surprised to see you already at the dance."
Arthur's eyes darted between Kayden and Stella. The protective brother in him couldn't help but feel uneasy. "You'll be careful with my sister, won't you, Duke?" he asked, his voice just barely controlled.
Stella's chest tightened as she felt the undercurrent of tension between them. Her brother's protectiveness, his instinct to shield her, was something she appreciated, but at this moment, it felt like a trap.
"I would never harm Lady Stella," Kayden responded smoothly, though his gaze was fixed on Arthur's, as if daring him to challenge it.
Stella could almost feel the heat radiating from Arthur as he crossed his arms, his jaw tight. "I hope you remember your place, Duke. My sister isn't just a prize for you to parade around." His voice was laced with the sharpness of a protective brother, and it was clear he wasn't going to let Kayden have any leeway.
The tension was thick, and Stella could feel the weight of it. She smiled softly, stepping forward and addressing both men, trying to smooth the situation over before it escalated further.
"Arthur, please," she said, her voice calm, but firm. "We're just dancing.
Arthur's gaze flicked toward Stella, concern still clouding his features. "Stella, I don't like this... I don't trust him."
Kayden's expression shifted to something colder. "I'm sure Prince Arthur has his reasons to doubt me," he said, his tone now a little more frosty, but he didn't back down. "But I've always respected Lady Stella. I'll be the gentleman you expect."
Arthur didn't seem convinced, but after a long pause, he nodded stiffly. "I'll hold you to that, Duke."
Stella, feeling the awkwardness growing between them, decided it was time to move things along. She gently took Kayden's arm, her voice soft but clear. "Shall we, then?"
Kayden gave her a slight smile, almost grateful for the break in the tension. As they moved to take their place at the dance floor, Arthur remained rooted to the spot, his eyes following them, still clearly unsettled.
The Dance and the Talk of the Ball
The music swelled, and the two of them glided across the dance floor, a perfect pair in appearance, though Stella couldn't shake the feeling that it was all an elaborate act. The floor around them cleared as others watched with bated breath, anticipating their every move.
As Kayden's hand settled on her waist and hers rested on his shoulder, she couldn't help but feel a strange warmth in the intimacy of the moment. There was no passion behind it, no love — but the smoothness with which they danced, the chemistry of their movements, it almost made her forget.
Almost.
"Remember our first dance at the wedding?" Stella murmured as they turned in perfect synchrony, her gaze meeting his briefly.
Kayden's expression softened for a second, and he nodded. "I do. That was… an awkward time."
Stella chuckled, a little breathlessly, as she thought back to that night. "It was. But the dance felt different then. More... innocent, I suppose."
"More chaotic, you mean," Kayden quipped. "But yes, I remember it well. We were both caught in a whirlwind of things we couldn't control."
The music swirled around them, and Stella felt the eyes of the ballroom on them — whispers carried by the breeze, their movements watched by everyone who wanted to know about the newest couple in court.
As the music slowed and the dance ended, they separated with a shared smile, and Stella felt the weight of the performance lifting, if only a little.
She glanced at the other nobles, who were already gossiping about their every move. There were a few raised eyebrows, a few envious glances, but they seemed to have the attention of everyone in the room.
"I think we've done it," she said, her voice quiet but full of satisfaction.
Kayden looked at her, a glint of amusement in his eyes. "Yes, Lady Stella. The rumors are already flying." He looked over at the crowd, where ladies whispered and pointed, but none dared to approach them.
"Do you think this will last?" Stella asked, her voice soft, almost uncertain.
Kayden smiled, though his eyes were distant. "As long as we need it to. And maybe a little longer."
Stella nodded, her heart still carrying the weight of everything unsaid. The night was far from over, but for now, they had played their parts — and for a moment, the act had felt almost real.