Emily stood, her eyes sweeping over the vibrant collection. After a moment, her hand landed on a delicate lilac gown adorned with white lace that shimmered like dew. "This one," she said, holding it up for her sister to see. The dress's pale hues would complement Elara's soft features, enhancing her natural beauty.
The gown itself was a masterpiece, made of the finest satin that would flow gracefully as Elara moved. The bodice was delicately embroidered with silver threads, and the neckline was studded with tiny crystals that sparkled like stars. A diamond tiara, not too ostentatious but still regal, was chosen to complement the look.
Elara gasped with joy. "It's perfect!" she exclaimed, clapping her hands. The maids quickly moved to help her into the gown, securing the corset and arranging her hair into a graceful updo.
Emily, still in her robe, watched her sister, her thoughts turning inward. Elara's excitement reminded her of a simpler time, before the weight of her powers and the curse that loomed over her life. Still, she smiled warmly as she watched her younger sister being transformed.
The evening was ablaze with excitement as the long-awaited birthday ball of Prince Adrian and Princess Emily Wilson was finally underway. The grand ballroom of Aquarion, adorned with sparkling chandeliers and draped in regal tapestries, was filled with royalty and nobility from across the three kingdoms. Yet despite the grandeur and the laughter that echoed within the grand hall, the guests were still awaiting the arrival of the evening's stars—the birthday twins, Prince Adrian and Princess Emily.
King Niklaus Mikaelson, the most powerful and feared king of Emberlyn, stood apart from the crowd, his tall frame leaning against one of the towering marble pillars. A goblet of dark red wine rested in his hand, his silver-colored hair gleaming under the chandeliers' glow. Dressed in a sleek, pitch-black ensemble, his attire highlighted his broad shoulders and the powerful build beneath. His black cloak trailed behind him, and his reddish-brown eyes glimmered with the fire of someone used to getting what he wanted. The intensity of his gaze sent chills down the spine of anyone who dared to glance in his direction. Tonight, however, his thoughts were consumed not by conquest or political strategy—but by a singular obsession: Princess Emily.
As King Niklaus sipped his wine, his eyes scanned the room, pausing momentarily on the entry of the royal family of Eldoria. King Arthur Harris and Queen Elizabeth, draped in their royal purple and gold finery, exchanged pleasantries with the other monarchs, but it was their daughter, Princess Isolde Harris, who captured the attention of the room. Her reputation as the most beautiful woman in the three kingdoms was well earned.
Princess Isolde's beauty was unmatched, her golden curls cascading down her back in waves, adorned with delicate jeweled pins that shimmered with every turn of her head. She wore a stunning emerald-green gown that clung to her hourglass figure, the neckline plunging just enough to reveal the flawless skin of her décolletage. The gown, woven with fine golden threads, sparkled as she moved, drawing every eye in the room. Her lips, painted a deep ruby red, curved into a practiced smile as she acknowledged the admiration around her.
But not all admiration was equal, and to Isolde's displeasure, there was one man whose gaze she coveted more than anything—King Niklaus. However, Niklaus's eyes had barely flickered in her direction since her arrival, leaving Isolde seething with quiet fury.
As the Eldorian royal family greeted King Albert of Aquarion, his wife Queen Sienna, and the charming Princess Elara Wilson, King Niklaus continued to wait. Princess Elara, the youngest of the Wilson siblings, entered the ballroom looking radiant in a flowing lilac-and-white gown. The gown's delicate lace detailing and the slight shimmer of the fabric made her look almost angelic. Her long, honey-blonde hair was styled in soft waves that fell elegantly down her back, adorned with a simple tiara. The youngest princess had a soft beauty, her fair skin glowing under the chandeliers, and the guests murmured about how lovely she looked.
But Niklaus barely spared her a glance. His mind was singularly focused on one woman: Princess Emily.
Meanwhile, across the ballroom, Princess Isolde was losing her patience. Seeing the way King Niklaus ignored her, she clenched her jaw. Isolde was used to being the center of attention, used to men falling at her feet with just a glance. But Niklaus had always been different. His indifference made her desire him even more, and she would not let this insult stand.
"Stop fuming, sister," came a voice at her side. Prince Griffin, her older brother, smirked as he watched the scene unfold. Dressed in a dark green tunic embroidered with gold and a finely tailored jacket, he was every bit the regal prince, though his smirk revealed his enjoyment of his sister's growing frustration. "The king has no sights on the youngest girl. You'd do well to school your expression. Desperation does not suit you."
Isolde's emerald eyes narrowed. "If you think I look desperate, why don't we go speak to him? Let's see who's right," she hissed, determined to reclaim her dignity.
Griffin chuckled softly but obliged, leading his sister toward the brooding King Niklaus, who stood aloof near the edge of the ballroom. As they approached, Isolde composed herself, her painted smile once again settling over her face as she bowed deeply.
"Good evening, King Niklaus," she greeted him with a low, seductive voice, her bow intentionally deeper to draw attention to her neckline.
Niklaus's eyes finally shifted, but only to glance briefly at the pair before returning to his drink. "Prince Griffin. Princess Isolde," he acknowledged, his voice cold and distant.
Undeterred, Isolde raised her hand, expecting Niklaus to kiss it as a sign of courtesy. Her delicate fingers, adorned with sparkling rings, hovered in the air between them. But Niklaus merely stared at it for a long moment, his gaze chilling. Without another word, he turned his attention back to Griffin, leaving Isolde's hand hanging awkwardly in the air. The insult was clear.
Embarrassed, Isolde quickly retracted her hand, smoothing it down the fabric of her gown as if she had never offered it in the first place. The sting of his rejection burned hotly on her cheeks, but she refused to let it show.
"I told you," Griffin murmured with amusement, leaning in slightly toward his sister. "Desperation never works."
Isolde shot him a glare, but there was little she could say. King Niklaus wasn't like the other men who vied for her attention—he was far more dangerous, and it seemed, far more focused on someone else.
As Niklaus walked away from the Harris siblings, his gaze darkened with anticipation. He knew his time had come. Princess Emily, the object of his obsession, was meant to be here tonight, and soon he would see her, face to face.
The tension in the room grew as whispers spread like wildfire. Why was King Niklaus here at a ball, a rare occurrence for the reclusive monarch? Most of the guests assumed it was for political reasons or perhaps to forge alliances. But few suspected the truth—Niklaus's desire to claim Princess Emily as his own had nothing to do with politics. He was here for one reason and one reason only: to make the woman who haunted his thoughts his queen, whether she liked it or not.
Niklaus glided towards Princess Elara with a calculated grace, bending down to press a chaste kiss upon her gloved hand. His eyes, sharp as a hawk's, took in the royal bracelet and the sapphire one she wore with a keen interest.
"King Niklaus," Elara and Aiden intoned, bowing deeply. The recent war between their kingdoms still cast long shadows, and the atmosphere crackled with unspoken wariness.
"That's a striking bracelet, Princess Elara. It appears to be the royal emblem of your family," Niklaus remarked, his voice smooth but probing.
"Yes, King Niklaus," Elara replied, a hint of pride in her tone. "This bracelet signifies our royal lineage. Every member of our family possesses one."
"Every member?" Niklaus echoed, a glint of curiosity in his eyes.
"Yes, oh, I forgot—our sister Emily lost a few—" Elara began, but Aiden cut her off.
"Pardon us, King Niklaus. My sister has a tendency to ramble," Aiden interjected, gently but firmly drawing Elara away.
"Of course," Niklaus said, the corner of his mouth twitching in a barely concealed smirk. "Your secret is safe with me."
As the siblings retreated with a respectful bow, Niklaus's eyes narrowed. "Definitely her," he murmured, slipping his hand into his pocket where the stolen bracelets of Princess Emily lay hidden. The thrill of his clandestine acquisition coursed through him.