Everythings is Fin 22

CADEN’S POV

I couldn’t sit still. The royal orchestra played a perfect waltz, yet all I could hear was the blood rushing in my ears as I watched my wife twirl across the ballroom floor in another man’s arms.

“Your Highness, about the trade negotiations with the eastern provinces…” Lord Keller droned on beside me, completely oblivious to my distraction.

“Indeed,” I muttered, my eyes never leaving Elara.

She was radiant tonight. The emerald gown caught every flicker of candlelight, transforming her into something otherworldly—a forest spirit who had wandered into our midst. The silver circlet nestled in her dark hair marked her as royalty, but it was the way she carried herself, shoulders back, chin lifted, that truly announced her status to the world.

And Sebastian, damn him, couldn’t have looked more pleased with himself if he’d tried.

“Is something troubling you, Prince Caden?” Lady Isolde appeared at my elbow again, her voice syrupy sweet. “You seem… distracted.”

I tore my gaze away from the dance floor long enough to give her a withering look. “Nothing that concerns you, Lady Isolde.”

Her perfect smile faltered. “I merely thought to offer some company. You look rather alone at your own celebration.”

“I wasn’t aware I required company.”

Lord Keller, sensing the tension, excused himself with a hasty bow.

Isolde moved closer, lowering her voice. “They make quite the pair, don’t they? Prince Sebastian has always had excellent taste in women.”

I clenched my jaw. “I suggest you find someone else to share your observations with. She is still my wife!”

“Of course, Your Highness.” The false sweetness in her tone curdled. “Though I can’t help but wonder what the court thinks, seeing the Princess of Verdana so comfortable in another man’s arms.”

Something in me snapped. “What the court thinks is not your concern. Nor is my marriage.”

Without waiting for her response, I strode away, moving through the crowd with singular purpose. The dancers parted before me like a wave breaking against stone. Several people tried to engage me, advisors, nobles, visiting dignitaries, but I brushed past them all, my eyes fixed on Elara’s laughing face as Sebastian whispered something in her ear.

I reached them just as the music shifted to a slower melody. Without preamble, I stretched out my hand.

“May I dance with my wife?”

Sebastian’s eyebrows rose slightly, but his smile remained infuriatingly pleasant. For a moment, I thought he might refuse.

“Of course, Your Highness.” He stepped back, executing a perfect bow. “Princess, thank you for the honor.”

Elara’s eyes met mine, cool and assessing. She placed her hand in mine without a word, her fingers barely touching my palm.

Sebastian melted back into the crowd, though I could feel his gaze following us. I drew Elara closer than was strictly necessary, one hand settling at the small of her back.

“You look…” I started, then faltered. Beautiful seemed inadequate. Breathtaking, too common. “…like a queen.”

Elara’s expression remained neutral as we began to move with the music. “Thank you,” she replied, her voice carefully formal.

“The circlet suits you,” I continued, desperate to break through her icy composure. “Has it been in your family long?”

“It was my mother’s.” Her response was clipped. “And her mother’s before her.”

We moved in silence for several measures, our steps perfectly synchronized despite the tension between us. Around us, the ballroom whirled—a kaleidoscope of color and light and meaningless chatter.

“You’re angry with me,” I said finally.

Elara’s gaze flicked up to mine, a flash of genuine emotion crossing her face before the mask returned. “I wasn’t aware you’d noticed.”

The barb hit its mark. “I’ve noticed many things lately.”

“Like what?” she challenged, her voice low enough that only I could hear. “That I’m suddenly worth your attention now that you know who I really am?”

“That’s not fair.”

Her laugh was sharp enough to cut glass. “Isn’t it? For months you couldn’t be bothered to look at me. Now you can’t seem to look away.”

The truth in her words stung. “I was wrong,” I admitted. “I should have seen you sooner.”

“Seen me?” She shook her head slightly, the emeralds in her circlet catching the light. “You never even tried, Caden.”

We turned beneath a massive crystal chandelier, our shadows dancing across the polished marble floor. I was acutely aware of every point where our bodies connected, my hand at her back, her palm against mine, the occasional brush of her skirts against my legs.

“You seem quite comfortable with Sebastian,” I said, unable to keep the edge from my voice.

“He’s been kind to me,” she replied simply.

I pulled her fractionally closer, ignoring the small intake of breath that resulted.”

“You look beautiful tonight,” I said softly, changing tack. “Not because of your title or your crown or what alliance you represent. Just you, Elara.”

Something flickered in her eyes,surprise, confusion, perhaps even the faintest trace of hope. “You don’t need to flatter me, Caden. The damage is already done.”

“I’m not flattering you. I’m telling you what I should have told you months ago.”

The music swelled around us, the violins reaching a crescendo that seemed to mirror the tension between us. Elara’s grip on my hand tightened almost imperceptibly.

“And what good does that do now?” she asked, her voice barely audible above the music.

I drew a slow breath. “I don’t know. But I’d like to find out.”

Her eyes widened slightly. Before she could respond, the music ended, leaving us standing still amid a sea of movement as other couples broke apart and applauded the orchestra.

I didn’t release her hand. “Elara—”

“Your Highness,” a voice interrupted. One of my father’s advisors bowed deeply. “Forgive me, but the Ardanian ambassador has requested an introduction to the princess.”

I reluctantly let my hand fall away from Elara’s waist, though I kept hold of her fingers for a moment longer than necessary.

“We’re not finished,” I said quietly, for her ears alone.

The corner of her mouth lifted in what might have been the ghost of a smile, and without a word, she turned on her heels and I watched her walk away.