It was finally the day of the announcement—one day before the ball. The castle was alive with restless energy, tension crackling in the air like an impending storm. By now, word had already spread throughout the Diamond Palace: Heinz would choose only one partner for the ball.
And that wasn't just any choice.
It was a declaration.
A single decision that sent ripples far beyond the castle walls, shaking the very foundations of the nobility.
Because now, the entire kingdom knew.
Heinz wasn't simply selecting a dance partner. He was choosing a queen.
The moment the invitations were sent, the aristocracy erupted into an uproar. After years of sitting on the throne, Heinz had never once hosted a ball within the Diamond Palace. This was the first. And with that first came expectations, ambitions, and silent wars brewing beneath every polite smile.
