The sun was rising over the Royal Palace, casting long shadows across the vast grounds as Charlotte wandered the gardens, her thoughts heavy. Her silver hair glimmered like moonlight under the golden morning rays, and her hazel eyes reflected the inner storm that had consumed her since the events of the night before.
An assassin had attempted to take her life within the palace walls—a palace that was not her own, but the home of the royal family. The Zientek family, the most powerful in the kingdom, had long been allies to the royal house, and Charlotte had been invited as a guest to stay in the palace while her family dealt with political matters.
She had fought off the assassin with ease, a combination of her strength, skill, and the powers that came from being a Zientek. But the attack disturbed her. How had someone gotten past the palace guards? What had been the real purpose behind it? Even with her powers, Charlotte could not shake the feeling that something larger was at play.
In an effort to quiet her racing thoughts, Charlotte had decided to take a walk through the royal gardens, hoping the beauty of the flowers and the quiet serenity of the grounds would calm her. Yet, even among the blooms and soft murmurs of the morning breeze, the unease remained.
It was then that she saw him—Woody, the sleek leopard who had entered her life one month ago.
"Woody," Charlotte called, surprised but relieved to see him again.
The last time she had encountered the leopard, it had been in a dimly lit room inside the palace, a room where she had been playing the piano. She remembered the soft glow of candlelight, the way her music had filled the space, and how she had noticed the figure in the shadows—someone who had been listening to her. She had never expected to encounter him again.
"Charlotte," Woody said, his voice steady but urgent. "I need your help. My master… he fainted. Please, come quickly."
Charlotte's heart skipped a beat at the mention of his master. "Your master? Where is he?"
Without another word, Woody turned and bounded ahead. Charlotte followed, her curiosity piqued by the sudden urgency in the leopard's tone. They moved deeper into the gardens, past well-tended flowerbeds and fountains, until they reached a part of the grounds she had never seen before—an untamed corner of the garden, hidden from view.
There, lying among the wildflowers, was a young man.
He was unmistakable. Even in his fragile state, with his dark hair scattered across his pale face, Charlotte recognized him immediately. Luciano Antonio, the first prince of the kingdom. The same prince she had seen a month ago, in that dark room inside the palace.
Charlotte's breath caught in her chest. Her mind raced, recalling the faint memory of their encounter—the man who had stood quietly in the shadows, watching her as she played the piano. She hadn't known then who he was, but now, seeing him lying before her, it all made sense.