The cobbled streets of the flower park, the life of the city followed its course, with merchants hawking their wares and people strolling at their own pace. The gentle breeze stirred the leaves of the trees, creating a relaxing atmosphere, perfect for a stroll.

  Priscilla walked alongside her best friend, Brieonne, both silent for a moment, observing the surrounding bustle. The young princess sighed, breaking the silence.

  —You know, Brieonne? I don't know how much more of this I can take. — said Priscilla, referring to school and the increasing pressure of the marriage season. — It's not just what people say, but it seems like everything revolves around the same thing. Get married, get married, get married…

  Brieonne smiled with understanding, running a hand through her long brown hair, her eyes twinkling with a touch of amusement and nostalgia.

  —I completely understand, Pri. — Brieonne replied, looking up at the clear sky. — Although luckily I've already found someone who makes it all worthwhile. I've been with Lord Erik of Himt lately. It's not just that we have to get married out of obligation. We have connected on a much deeper level. It's strange, but I feel that there is something more to our relationship.

  Priscilla looked at her in surprise, but also admired the confidence with which Brieonne spoke about her connection with Lord Erik. The young princess had not experienced anything similar, and she couldn't help feeling a little jealous of her friend.

  —Really? That sounds… beautiful, — Priscilla replied with a shy smile. — I, on the other hand, still don't know what to think. Since I started interacting with Maximus, whether from near or far, I feel a little strange. As if something were changing inside me.

  Brieonne, who had always been the more extroverted of the two, let out a slight laugh. — Weird? How weird?” she asked, with a playful expression. — Don't tell me you're in love with him, Pri…

  The princess let out a nervous laugh, embarrassed by the mere fact of considering that possibility. Brieonne watched her with a mischievous smile. —No, I'm not in love, don't be silly. — replied Priscilla, crossing her arms in a gesture of discomfort. — I just… feel something strange, like my heart beats faster every time I see him. I don't know, it's hard to explain. —

  The two friends laughed together, Priscilla's slight concern dissipating for a moment. It was a relief to share her thoughts with Brieonne, who always had the ability to make her feel more relaxed, even when situations seemed complicated. As they walked and chatted, they spotted a familiar figure in the distance: the viscount's son, Maximo Adrián Valois, walking across the square with his family. Priscilla recognized him instantly. Maximo was dressed in an elegant dark coat, which perfectly matched the sophisticated atmosphere that always seemed to surround him.

  — Look, it's him. — said Brieonne, discreetly pointing to Maximo's figure.

  Priscilla looked at him without being able to help it, and just like last time, their eyes met. A strange silence took hold of them both for a few seconds, an instant suspended in time, in which everything around them seemed to fade away. Maximo gave her a slight nod, a courteous gesture that made Priscilla's heart beat a little faster. However, they were quickly brought back to reality when Maximus's mother, Mrs. Valois, came forward and began to greet them.

  —Princess Priscilla and miss Brieonne, how nice to see you both. — said Maximus's mother, an elegant woman in an olive green dress that accentuated her figure. — I was wondering if one day I could invite you, my princess, to have tea at my house. It would be an honor for me.

  Priscilla, somewhat surprised by the proposal, nodded, trying to maintain her composure.

  —It would be a pleasure, Madame Valois. — she replied with a warm smile. —I can come tomorrow, if that's good for you, my grandmother will also attend with me.

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  Madame Valois was visibly pleased by the response, and her eyes sparkled with enthusiasm.

  —That would be wonderful, Princess. I'm sure you and my son will enjoy each other's company very much. — she said, looking at Priscilla with a kind smile, before giving Maximus a gentle tap on the arm. — Maximus, say hi to the princess.

  Maximus smiled and, with a polite attitude's, bowed his head again towards Priscilla. — It will be a pleasure, princess. — he said, with his sweet voice.

  Priscilla smiled back at him, somewhat nervous, but grateful for the courtesy of the Valois family. As they withdrew, Brieonne looked at her sideways with a mischievous expression.

  — Well, it seems that your mother isn't the only one pushing you towards him. — Brieonne joked as they walked back.

  Priscilla could only laugh, feeling the red rising in her cheeks. However, what she felt for Maximus was still a mystery. Everything seemed to be tangled up in a web of emotions and expectations, but for now, the princess was simply trying to follow the course of events without complicating it too much.

  The Valois household was quiet that afternoon. The echoes of the wedding season did not fade from the walls, and the family never stopped talking about it, in one way or another. Maximus walked slowly through the great hall, looking out the window as his thoughts swirled in his head. The pressure of the marriage season was constant, not only for his mother, but also for him. The expectation of following tradition, of getting married, became stronger and stronger with each passing day.

  —Max, are you okay? You seem to be in another world today. — said his little sister, smiling as she entered the room.

  Maximo barely looked at her, but nodded. — Just a little stressed. This wedding season seems to have no end. — he replied, rubbing his temples. He replied, rubbing his temples.

  His older brother's joke was quick to follow. —It seems to me that what's really stressing you is Selene. —he said with a laugh. — You spend all your time with her! I can see you at the altar soon, holding her hand with a silly smile.

  Maximo snorted with a forced smile. —There's nothing like that. It's just that she and I… well, we get on well. — he replied quickly, trying to change the subject. Although he couldn't deny that his relationship with Selene had started to become closer. But the idea of a real commitment to her was a joke to him. He didn't feel the same way about her, at least not in the way his brother suggested.

  His mother, who was at the table, looked up and joined in the conversation.

  —Well, speaking of future engagements…— she said, with a smile on her face. — Princess Priscilla will be coming for tea with us tomorrow. The queen will also be joining us.

  Maximus stopped laughing abruptly and his face, which until then had been relaxed, changed to a thoughtful expression. The news surprised him, although he already knew it, and a slight uneasiness settled in his chest.

  — The princess? I had completely forgotten. — Said Máximo.

  —The queen will accompany her, of course. It is an excellent opportunity to strengthen the relationship between our houses.

  Maximus nodded, but his mind began to wander, which took him away from the conversation. Princess Priscilla… he had always thought her charming. It was difficult not to notice her beauty and her presence at any event. However, he did not believe that he would ever be on her level. He couldn't compare himself to someone like her, the future queen, the heir to a kingdom. He, a simple viscount's son, destined to fulfill duties, but not with great expectations of that magnitude. Despite everything, he thought that Priscilla was more than what his eyes perceived, a woman who was not only beautiful, but also serious and committed to her duty. Somehow, he found her fascinating.

  He remained silent for a few moments, processing his thoughts, while his family continued joking.

  Finally, he got up from the table and decided to leave the conversation before his emotions betrayed him. He apologized briefly and went to his room. Once there, he sat down at his desk, in front of the blank sheets of paper that had always served as a refuge for him.

  Since he was young, he had written love letters, not addressed to anyone in particular, just a way of expressing his feelings. Letters that contained words of love and affection, but that never had a real recipient. Sometimes he thought that one day those letters would find their purpose, perhaps for someone who really meant something more to him. Maybe one day he would write a letter for someone like the princess, someone worthy of receiving his words.

  With a sigh, he picked up his pen and began to write, his thoughts traveling to a place full of uncertainty. But for the first time, his thoughts were not focused solely on an idealized love. This time, his mind

  was filled with the image of a real woman, a princess, who had somehow aroused a strange interest in him.