Layla blinked several times, struggling against the soft light caressing her face. A mesmerizing fragrance floated in the air a delicate blend of jasmine and precious woods.
Where was she?
She slowly turned her head and realized she was no longer in the cold, damp cell.
Above her, a ceiling adorned with intricate patterns. Around her, silk draperies cascaded elegantly. And beneath her… a mattress so soft she felt as if she were floating.
She took a deep breath, trying to gather her thoughts.
Then, a hazy memory resurfaced: the prince.
His furious voice. His worried face. His hands, which, in the darkness, had touched her with surprising gentleness.
Her heart pounded.
Could it be that he had saved her?
She tried to sit up, but dizziness immediately overwhelmed her. A door creaked open, and she sensed a presence approaching.
— "Finally awake."
The voice was calm, yet laced with irony.
Layla turned her head and met the prince's intense gaze.
Layla's heart skipped a beat as the prince's hand lightly touched her chin, forcing her to meet his eyes. His dark, deep, and unreadable stare challenged her as much as it scrutinized her.
— "Don't push your limits, Layla."
His voice was calm, but there was an undeniable authority in it.
She clenched her fists, her pride refusing to bend under his piercing gaze.
A tense silence settled between them, broken only by the distant crackling of a torch.
Then, to her great surprise, the prince laughed.
— "You really are incorrigible."
He released her chin with unexpected gentleness and stepped back slightly.
— "Drink some water. Eat something. You're too weak to play the heroine today."
Layla hesitated, wary, before slowly reaching for the cup of water placed in front of her.
She drank in small sips, finally easing the dryness in her throat.
Meanwhile, the prince kept watching her, arms crossed, his enigmatic smile never fading.
— "Tell me, Layla… did you really think you'd get away with stealing medicine right under my nose?"
She paused for a moment, then shrugged slightly.
— "I had no choice."
The prince tilted his head, intrigued.
— "And what will you do if it happens again?"
She set down her cup, met his gaze with burning determination, and answered without hesitation:
— "I'll do it again."
Another silence fell.
Then, slowly, the prince's lips curled into an amused smile.
— "In that case, it seems I'll have to keep a close eye on you."
Layla slowly sat up in bed, still feeling the unusual softness of the sheets beneath her fingers. Her eyes landed on a neatly folded outfit beside her.
— "Hm… So they expect me to get dressed and just wait here for my sentence?" she murmured, picking up the fabric.
She slipped into the attire, surprisingly light and comfortable, then stretched.
— "Well… I might as well take a little tour of this palace before my head gets chopped off, huh?"
She chuckled too loudly before quickly clapping a hand over her mouth.
— "I'm going crazy."
Despite everything, the thought of patiently awaiting her fate didn't sit well with her. She carefully opened the door and ventured into the corridors.
The palace was silent, dimly lit by the golden glow of torches. She tiptoed forward, admiring the grandeur of the place. Everything here exuded wealth the intricately carved columns, the deep red carpets, the chandeliers hanging like frozen stars in time.
Reaching an open terrace, she suddenly stopped.
Below, in the training courtyard, the prince was there.
His bare torso gleamed under the flickering firelight, his skin covered in a fine sheen of sweat. He wielded his sword with precision, muscles tensing with each movement. His gaze was focused, unreadable, as if nothing else existed but his training.
Layla's breath caught.
— "Ah."
The prince suddenly halted, turning his head slightly in her direction.
Layla's heart skipped a beat.
On instinct, she retreated hastily, pressing herself against the wall and holding her breath.
A heavy silence followed.
She risked a discreet glance.
The prince was smiling.
A fleeting smile, barely noticeable, before he turned away and resumed his training as if nothing had happened.
Layla didn't wait a second longer.
She spun around and all but fled back to her chamber, her face burning.
Closing the door behind her, she collapsed onto the bed, burying her face in the pillow.
— "At least… I didn't forget my way back despite the shock."
But deep down, what had truly unsettled her…
It wasn't the prince's strength.
It was his smile.