Chapter 9: The Encounter of Fate
Episode 9: The Angel's Gaze
The night air was crisp, and the moon hung high in the sky, casting a silvery glow over the royal gardens. Celeste stood at the entrance of the secluded courtyard, her heart racing in her chest. She had agreed to meet him—Prince Levine. The very prince her father had arranged for her to marry. But as the minutes ticked by, her nerves grew. What was she supposed to say? What was she supposed to do?
The gentle rustling of the leaves in the evening breeze provided the only sound as she stood in the moonlight, her long gown shimmering with every movement. The dress, a deep shade of midnight blue, hugged her figure elegantly, its lace and silk catching the light just right. Her hair, usually pinned up in intricate styles for court, cascaded down her back in soft waves, a subtle contrast to her usual polished appearance. She was nervous, yes, but she was also trying to embrace this moment—whatever it was meant to be.
Then, as if the night itself had parted to make way for him, Prince Levine emerged from the shadows.
Celeste's breath caught in her throat as she turned to face him. There he stood—tall, regal, and impossibly beautiful. His hair, as white as the purest snow, flowed like a river of light, cascading down his shoulders and framing his face with a kind of ethereal glow. His eyes, the color of the clearest summer sky, locked onto hers with a gaze that seemed to pierce straight to her soul. But it was not just his beauty that took her breath away.
No, it was the magnificent wings that sprouted from his back, their feathers shining like the finest silver, each one delicate yet strong. They arced gracefully, their tips almost brushing the ground as he moved forward. Celeste had heard rumors of Prince Levine's angelic lineage, but seeing him like this, in person, with the wings of an actual angel, was beyond anything she had ever imagined. He was not just a prince—he was a living, breathing embodiment of something divine.
Her heart raced as he took a few steps closer, his wings folding neatly behind him, though they still seemed to carry an aura of otherworldly grace. She could hardly believe that she, a mere mortal, was standing before someone so perfect, so unattainably magnificent.
Prince Levine, noticing her reaction, couldn't help but be struck by how she appeared in the moonlight. There was a softness to her, a quiet elegance that made her stand out even more than he had imagined. Her features were delicate—her pale skin glowing in the soft light, her eyes wide with a mix of wonder and curiosity. But it wasn't just her beauty that captivated him; it was the way she held herself, a quiet strength that spoke of nobility, of wisdom beyond her years.
He had heard tales of her—stories from diplomats and visitors who spoke of her as a young woman of great intelligence, beauty, and grace. But standing before her now, seeing her for the first time in person, he couldn't believe his eyes. This woman, standing before him, was more breathtaking than he had ever imagined. She was not just a princess; she was an embodiment of everything he had ever dreamed of.
"Princess Celeste," he said, his voice deep and melodious, carrying a weight of sincerity. "You are more beautiful than I could have ever imagined."
The words were simple, but the way he spoke them made her heart flutter in her chest. She hadn't expected him to speak so openly, so freely. Her cheeks flushed a soft shade of pink, and she quickly lowered her gaze to avoid his penetrating eyes.
"I... I don't know what to say," she stammered, feeling the heat rising in her face. "You're—you're magnificent. I've heard so much about you, but seeing you like this... it's hard to believe."
Prince Levine smiled gently, his wings fluttering slightly as if responding to the lightness in the air. "You are too kind. But it is the truth, Your Highness. I have heard so much about you as well. And I've always believed that meeting you would be... well, fated."
Celeste looked up at him, her pulse quickening. "Fated?"
His eyes softened as he took another step closer, the light from the moon dancing across his wings, casting soft, silver reflections on the garden's marble floor. "Yes. Your father has spoken of you often, and from what I know, you are a woman of great wisdom and grace. It would be my honor to serve beside you, if you would have me."
The sincerity in his voice was undeniable, and it tugged at something deep inside her. She had known of her father's expectations, of the arranged marriage that was meant to solidify political alliances. But hearing it from Prince Levine himself, spoken with such honesty and gentleness, made her heart ache with the weight of it all. There was no pretension in his words, no attempt to sway her with flattery. It was simply a man offering his heart, his loyalty, and his life, should she choose to accept.
"Do you believe in destiny, Celeste?" he asked, his voice low, almost reverent.
Her breath hitched, and she blinked in surprise. She had never considered the idea of fate or destiny in such a personal way. She had always seen it as a political construct, something her father would use to justify the decisions made for her. But now, standing before him, she wasn't so sure. Could there truly be something more to this meeting? More to their connection?
"I... I don't know," she admitted, her voice trembling slightly. "I've always been told what my destiny was supposed to be. But standing here, with you, I feel like... like maybe it could be something more."
Prince Levine's gaze never wavered from hers. "Then perhaps we are both meant to walk this path together."
The words hung in the air between them like a promise, something both tentative and inevitable. Celeste felt the weight of them, the quiet certainty in his tone, and for the first time, she allowed herself to imagine what it would be like—what it would be like to be by his side, not just as an arranged bride, but as a partner, as a true companion.
She smiled, the warmth in her chest finally spreading to her face. "Maybe we are."
The moon above them seemed to glow even brighter, as though the heavens themselves were witnessing the moment, and Celeste couldn't help but feel a strange peace settle over her. Perhaps this was the beginning of something greater. Perhaps this was the first step toward a future she hadn't yet imagined.
As the night deepened, and the stars above twinkled like the eyes of forgotten gods, Celeste knew that whatever came next, she would face it with courage—by his side, with the wings of an angel to guide her.
End of Episode 9