Frelis, naturally, did not go.

Keep his appointment? She was now so consumed with preparations she could barely remember her own name.


She stared at her reflection, a stranger gazing back from the ornate mirror.

An elaborate wedding gown encrusted with pearls draped her frame, while a cold, heavy crown pressed down on her head, forcing her to bow slightly—as if already submitting to some invisible fate.

"Smile, Your Highness." The chief lady-in-waiting's voice carried all the warmth of winter frost. "The Queen has instructed that you must outshine everyone today."


Frelis forced the corners of her mouth upward, rehearsing the expression she would need to maintain throughout the endless day ahead.

The wedding ceremony dragged on like a slow execution.


Then she saw him—Crown Prince Ludwig.

He approached her, his voice clear and pleasant, though edged with unmistakable weariness.

"Now that our vows are exchanged, you are my wife."

Ludwig sat across from her in their private chamber, his gaze settling on her veiled face. "Your Highness," he began, carefully selecting each word, "before we begin our life together, I must confess something. I once loved a woman deeply."

His fingertips drummed lightly against the table, his eyes drifting as if pulled into distant memories.

"While I respect this union and will honor my duties," his voice filled with genuine regret, "my heart is no longer mine to give. I hope you can understand, and that we might build a life on mutual respect, if nothing else."

Having spoken his piece, Ludwig fell silent, his eyes finally meeting his bride's gaze directly.

Such strangely familiar eyes...

Lost in confusion, he was startled when his bride suddenly burst into silvery, bell-like laughter.

That laughter—so light, so achingly familiar—sent his heart racing.

"It's me!" Ludwig's breath caught in his throat.

He froze completely, lips parted, voice trapped in his chest.

"How is this possible... You can't be..." His words fractured, his outstretched hand trembling in the space between them.

Frelis captured his ice-cold hand in hers, her smile triumphant and tender all at once.

"Hard, it's me—Frelis! Surprised? I've come in my sister's place."

The shock in Ludwig's eyes dissolved into wild, unrestrained joy. Tears glistened in the candlelight as he pulled her into his arms. "Frelis!"

Frelis gently extracted herself from his embrace and quickly shed the elaborate outer layers of her wedding gown, revealing simple clothes beneath.

She tugged Ludwig toward the table laden with wedding feast delicacies, plopping down without ceremony.

In that moment, they were neither princess nor Crown Prince—just two people reunited against all odds.

"I'm absolutely starving!" She stuffed a blueberry pastry into her mouth, cheeks bulging like a squirrel with stolen treasure.

Between bites, Frelis recounted her audacious plan—her sister's reluctance, her own determination, the dangerous disguises and close calls along the journey.

"That old nanny on the carriage had eyes like a hawk!" She threw her hands up dramatically. "I was certain she'd expose me on the very first day!" Ludwig roared with laughter.

They alternated between fits of laughter and moments of silent wonder, drinking in each other's presence. The palace clock struck midnight, yet neither wished to end their miraculous reunion.

The next day dawned bright with possibility.

After breakfast, Ludwig took Frelis's hand and guided her through the palace gardens.

"Here in the east, we primarily grow roses," Ludwig explained, gesturing broadly. "And over there to the west, we cultivate herbs and spices."

Frelis drank in every detail, her curiosity insatiable.

She suddenly dropped to her knees beside a rose bush, gently stroking a plump court spaniel basking in the morning sun.

"Look at this adorable creature," she looked up, eyes sparkling with delight. "Wouldn't it be marvelous to have a dozen of them? They could tumble all over our bedchamber!" She giggled at the mental image of fluffy bodies sprawled across royal furniture.

Ludwig knelt beside her, scratching the dog's chin with his gloved hand. "Absolutely," he agreed without hesitation.

As they wandered toward the library, Frelis halted abruptly before the massive oak doors.

She pointed at the gleaming marble floor. "We should cover this with thick cashmere rugs. Walking barefoot would feel like stepping on clouds."

Ludwig smiled knowingly. "With plush cushions beside every bookshelf?"

Their minds seemed perfectly aligned, visions of their shared future bubbling forth unstoppably.

"I want to hang a swing between those two ancient oaks."

"Brilliant. And a wisteria trellis over that walkway would be breathtaking come spring."

The sharp sound of hurried footsteps shattered their peaceful moment.

Prince Leon stormed toward them, his face thunderous with barely contained rage.

"Where is that maid? You incompetent fools!" Leon's voice cracked with fury, all pretense of courtesy abandoned as he berated the servants trailing behind him.

Ludwig's expression frosted over instantly. He straightened to his full height, every inch the Crown Prince.

"Leon," he commanded sharply, "mind your tongue! Come and pay proper respects to the Crown Princess."

Frelis turned slowly, her skirts sweeping an elegant arc across the garden path.

She placed her right hand delicately against her chest, lifted her hem with her left, and executed a flawless court curtsy. "Your Highness," she greeted, "good morning."

Her voice rang clear and pleasant, with just a hint of mischief beneath the perfect courtesy.

All color drained from Leon's face in an instant.

He stumbled backward, eyes wide with shock, lips trembling as he stared at Frelis's delicate, all-too-familiar face, desperately searching for some mistake, some flaw in his recognition.

He found none.

"The... the Crown Princess?!"

The strangled cry tore from his throat, shattering what remained of the garden's tranquility.