Chapter 1: The Royal Celebration

The grand halls of the Divore Palace glittered with opulence, every surface adorned with the finest silks and jewels that the kingdom could afford. The flicker of countless candles cast a warm, golden glow over the assembled guests, who were dressed in their finest attire. It was Prince Hazel's 17th birthday—a milestone marked with elaborate festivities and an air of restrained excitement.

Prince Hazel, standing at the center of the ballroom, felt a pang of unease amidst the revelry. His strong frame and striking presence commanded attention, but beneath the surface of his confident demeanor lay a swirl of conflicting emotions. He was a prince of considerable skill and power, a swordsman revered in the palace, yet tonight he was more than just the celebrated heir to the throne—he was a young man grappling with secrets and desires that could shatter the carefully constructed facade of royal propriety.

The ballroom doors swung open, drawing the eyes of every guest to the new arrival. Lyone, tall and striking with an easy charm that belied his humble origins, entered the room. The contrast between Lyone's simple yet elegant attire and the grandeur of the royal gowns and suits was palpable. The murmur of the crowd hinted at curiosity and intrigue, but Hazel's focus was solely on the boy who had just stepped into his world.

"Lyone," Hazel said softly, as if in a trance. The name felt foreign yet familiar on his lips. His heart raced as he took in the sight of his friend, who had always managed to bring a sense of normalcy into Hazel's otherwise tumultuous life.

Their eyes met across the room, and in that moment, Hazel felt a flicker of solace. Lyone's presence seemed to cut through the formality of the occasion like a breath of fresh air. As Hazel moved through the throng of guests, exchanging polite nods and engaging in superficial conversation, his thoughts remained fixed on Lyone.

The celebration was in full swing—music filled the air, and guests swirled across the dance floor in elegant waltzes. Hazel participated with practiced grace, his movements precise and rehearsed, but his thoughts were elsewhere. Each twirl and dip felt hollow compared to the quiet comfort of Lyone's company.

Later in the evening, as the festivities reached their peak, Hazel and Lyone found a quiet alcove away from the bustling crowd. The contrast between the opulent palace and the serene corner was stark, and here, amidst the soft glow of moonlight filtering through the curtains, the weight of Hazel's secrets felt momentarily lighter.

"Hazel, you look like you've been carrying the weight of the world tonight," Lyone remarked, his voice a soothing balm to Hazel's frayed nerves. "Is everything alright?"

Hazel's gaze softened as he looked at Lyone. "It's just… sometimes, it feels like all this," he gestured vaguely toward the ballroom, "isn't real. Like I'm trapped in a role I'm supposed to play but never truly inhabit."

Lyone's expression grew serious, and he reached out, placing a reassuring hand on Hazel's shoulder. "You don't have to be perfect, you know. You just have to be yourself."

The sincerity in Lyone's eyes made Hazel's heart ache with a longing he could not fully articulate. He wanted to reach out, to tell Lyone everything, but the weight of his obligations and the fear of the consequences kept him silent.

The evening ended with a sense of foreboding. As the guests departed and the palace returned to its usual quiet grandeur, Hazel found himself alone with his thoughts. He knew that the challenges he faced were far from over. The pressures of his role as heir, the expectations of his family, and the looming political tensions with the Estrella Kingdom all hung heavy over him. And despite it all, his feelings for Lyone remained a beacon of hope and confusion in the midst of his turmoil.

With a heavy sigh, Hazel looked out over the moonlit garden, where the night air seemed to whisper promises of freedom and escape. But as he turned away, he knew that his path was set—marriage to Ruelle awaited, and the secret he carried could not remain hidden forever.

The celebration was over, but Hazel's true journey was only just beginning.