The morning sun bathed the royal penthouse in golden hues, but to Prince Arthur, it felt oppressive.
He stood before a large, ornate mirror in his bedroom, his expression darkened by displeasure.
Two servants fussed over him, meticulously adjusting his royal attire, ensuring every thread and fold was perfect.
Arthur tugged at his collar, grimacing as they continued to adjust his jacket.
"Good morning, your highness!" A cheerful voice interrupted the moment. Gregor stepped into the room with his trademark grin, his robust frame carrying an air of authority.
Arthur glanced at him with a roll of his eyes. "Good morning, Gregor. Tell me, do I have to endure this every day—being dressed like a doll by servants?"
Gregor let out a hearty chuckle, "It seems his highness has forgotten the royal protocols after so many years away from the palace."
"Protocols," Arthur repeated, his voice laced with disdain. "I hate them."
The servants exchanged a glance but continued their task in silence, accustomed to the prince's occasional frustration.
After breakfast, Arthur left his penthouse to a startling scene outside.
A large crowd had gathered, their voices blending into a sea of cheers.
Arthur paused at the entrance, momentarily caught off guard by the sight.
He waved politely, trying to mask his discomfort behind a royal smile.
His security team flanked him, scanning the crowd vigilantly.
Suddenly, a woman broke free from the barriers, sprinting towards Arthur.
Her face was desperate, her hand reaching out as if she could touch him. "Your highness!" she cried out, her voice trembling with emotion.
Before Arthur could react, one of his security guards moved swiftly, pulling him back while another tasered the woman.
Her body crumpled to the ground, her cries of pain echoing through the air.
The crowd fell silent, stunned by the violence.
Arthur's eyes blazed with fury. "Why did you do that?" His voice was sharp, cutting through the air like a blade.
The guard froze, his hands still gripping the taser.
Arthur's anger was palpable, and even the most seasoned of his security team shifted uneasily under his gaze.
Gregor, who had been waiting in the car, rushed over, his face a mixture of concern and understanding.
"Your highness, it's protocol. No one is allowed to approach you unless approved. If not, they're considered a security threat."
Arthur stared at him, incredulous. "A security threat? She's just a woman! She wasn't trying to harm me."
His eyes drifted back to the woman, now whimpering on the ground, her body twitching from the shock.
Remorse filled his chest. He waved a hand, his voice quieter but no less commanding. "Get her some medical help. Now."
Without waiting for a response, he stormed to his car, the door slamming shut behind him as the vehicle sped away from the penthouse.
---
Across the city, in her modest apartment, Lani stirred in bed as the sunlight streamed through the crack in her curtains.
She blinked slowly, her body groggy from a restless night.
The bed next to her was empty, the covers pulled back.
Just as she was about to roll over and drift back to sleep, the door creaked open.
Maverick strolled in, carrying two neatly folded waiter uniforms. "Baby, time to get up," he said, his voice brimming with excitement.
"Remember what I told you? We're about to pull the biggest heist of our lives."
Lani rubbed her eyes, sitting up slightly. "What are you talking about?" she mumbled, still half-asleep.
Maverick's grin widened as he tossed one of the uniforms onto the bed. "The palace is hosting a grand ball for the prince. And that's where we're going to make our move."
"The palace?" Lani repeated, her voice suddenly more alert.
She sat up fully now, her heart racing at the thought. "Are you serious? Robbing the palace is a crime. We could be killed for that."
Maverick chuckled, unfazed by her concern.
He leaned down, kissing her on the forehead. "Don't worry, baby. No one's going to catch us. I promise. We're in and out, just like we've done before. Now get up. Breakfast is on the table, and we need to be out the door soon."
Lani sighed, her heart conflicted. Maverick always had grand ideas, but this? Robbing the royal palace? It felt different—dangerous in a way their previous heists hadn't.
Yet, she couldn't deny the thrill of it all. Maverick's confidence was infectious, and she found herself slowly nodding.
---
At the palace, Prince Arthur's convoy rolled up to the grand gates, which swung open in a stately manner.
The palace loomed ahead, its stone walls gleaming under the sun, the grandeur of it all making Arthur's stomach twist.
He had grown up here, but it never felt like home. Not after his mother's death.
The car came to a stop at the grand entrance, where his father, King Henry, stood waiting. The queen consort Camille, stood beside him, her face neutral.
Arthur's two half-siblings, Elena and Alexander, were also present, their expressions carefully composed.
As Arthur stepped out of the car, his father approached him first.
King Henry's eyes glistened with emotion as he embraced his son tightly. "My son, welcome back," he murmured, cupping Arthur's face before kissing his cheeks.
"Father," Arthur greeted, with a smile.
His eyes flickered to Camille.
The two shook hands stiffly, the air between them cold and distant.
Next in line was Alexander, Arthur's biggest rival.
The second prince was named after their grandfather and carried himself with an air of arrogance.
He stepped forward, hand outstretched, but Arthur ignored it, walking past him without a word.
The sting of rejection was clear on Alexander's face, but he quickly masked it.
Arthur's face softened when he reached his little sister, Princess Elena.
Unlike his stepmother and half-brother, Elena was the only one who shared a genuine bond with him.
She beamed up at him, her eyes bright with joy. "My favorite person ever," she exclaimed, throwing her arms around him.
Arthur hugged her back tightly, his chest constricting with emotion.
"I missed you so much," he whispered into her hair.
"I missed you too, Arthur."
They all made their way inside the palace, the weight of formality hanging over them.
Breakfast was laid out in the grand dining hall, but Arthur declined to join. "I'm full. I already had breakfast before I arrived," he said flatly, excusing himself to his old room.
As he opened the door, the familiar scent of the room flooded his senses.
Memories of his childhood rushed back—his mother's laughter, the comforting presence of his father before everything changed.
He walked to the bed and collapsed onto it, staring up at the ornate ceiling.
The weight of his return settled over him like a suffocating blanket.
Moments later, there was a knock at the door. Elena entered, carrying a tray of tea and biscuits. "I know you love these, so you can't say no," she teased, setting the tray down beside him.
Arthur sat up, chuckling despite himself. "Okay, okay. I'll eat it, but only for your sake."
"And that's why I love you," Elena said, her voice full of warmth.
They sat together, sharing tea and biscuits in the quiet comfort of the room.
Outside, in the palace courtyard, a van pulled up, unnoticed among the many preparations for the ball.
Inside were 100 hired staff, including two figures with bad intentions—Maverick and Lani.
Maverick peered out the window, his eyes wide with excitement. "Look at this place," he whispered to Lani, his voice filled with awe. "We're going to be rich after this."
Lani smiled dreamily, imagining a life of luxury.
A life where she might one day live in such a grand palace, not as a thief, but as a princess.