The weight of Lily's questioning gaze felt heavier than the small bottle clutched in my hand. It was my last resort, a desperate gamble in a game I knew I was already losing. My fingers tightened around the bottle, its contents a potent aphrodisiac, a weapon I intended to use on Prince Killian so that I could stop my wedding with Prince Cassius.
The very act felt like a betrayal – a betrayal of my ethics, my morals, and perhaps, most importantly, of my own heart. How could I justify this act?
How could I explain to Lily that I was about to become the villain of my own love story?
Desperate, I resorted to a lie, a smooth, practiced deception. "It's for Prince Cassius," I said in a desperate attempt to mask the turmoil within.
I watched her face closely, searching for any sign of doubt. "A gift," I added, my voice softening, a nervous laugh escaping my lips.
