Chapter 18
"Come."
His hand was right in front of her.
The entire hall held its breath.
Her fingers trembled slightly as she lifted her hand to meet his. Sky stood stiff beside her, jaw clenched. Brian's eyes were dark, unreadable. Selene, her best friend, squeezed her arm gently from behind.
"Go on," Selene whispered softly. "This is your moment."
Her heart pounded.
She was about to take his hand—
"STOP!"
The voice cut through the hall like a blade.
Everyone turned.
A group of trainees stepped forward, led by one of the older girls, her lips curled into a mocking smile.
"I think His Highness deserves to know exactly who he's choosing."
Murmurs spread instantly.
"What's going on?"
"What is she talking about?"
The girl tossed a stack of papers forward. They scattered across the marble floor like falling leaves.
Letters.
Dozens of them.
Sky frowned. "What is this nonsense?"
"Read them," the girl smirked.
A noble picked one up, eyes scanning quickly—then widening.
"This… this is—"
Another voice chimed in. "Disgusting…"
More whispers erupted.
"She's been with multiple trainees—"
"They say even her trainer—"
"Sky?!"
Her blood ran cold.
"No… that's not true," she said, shaking her head.
But more voices rose.
"I've seen them together late at night—"
"She sleeps in his room—"
"Look at this handwriting—she wrote these herself!"
One letter was held up, read aloud:
"I don't care who sees me… I'll take whoever gives me strength…"
The words hit like a slap.
"That's not mine!" she cried. "I didn't write that!"
But no one listened.
The whispers grew louder.
"Hore…"
"Disgrace…"
"How could the seventh prince choose someone like this?"
Sky stepped forward, anger blazing. "Enough! This is clearly forged—"
"Oh?" the girl interrupted. "Then why does everyone know you spend nights together?"
Silence.
All eyes turned to Sky.
He hesitated—just for a second.
And that was enough.
The damage was done.
The seventh prince's hand slowly lowered.
Her heart shattered.
She looked at him, desperate. "It's not true… please…"
He said nothing.
His face—cold as ever.
But his silence cut deeper than any accusation.
Selene rushed forward, wrapping an arm around her. "Ignore them… they're lying…"
But even Selene's voice felt… distant.
The hall was no longer grand.
It was suffocating.
And in that moment, everything she had built—
Collapsed.