Chương 1: chapter 1
The grand hall was buzzing with excitement. Guests swirled around in their best gowns and suits, wine flowed like rivers, and the chandeliers twinkled as if they were winking at the drama about to unfold. The ball was in full swing, thrown in honor of Princess Olivia's arranged marriage to the infamous Alpha King.
Lucian, the Alpha King, had made his dramatic entrance—brooding, caped, and very much over this whole ordeal. He didn't care for balls, small talk, or the dozen noblewomen eyeing him like a particularly juicy steak. He gave polite nods, murmured vague acknowledgments, and promptly decided to escape the chaos.
As he wandered through the quieter hallways of the castle, something caught his ear: the sound of a violin. But this wasn't the delicate, refined music one might expect at a royal ball. No, this was wild, raw, and filled with so much emotion that Lucian wondered if the violin was in pain.
He followed the sound, his curiosity piqued, and stopped at a slightly ajar door. Peeking inside, he saw her—a young woman with fiery red hair (or maybe it was just the candlelight) attacking the violin as if it owed her money. She swayed with the music, her bare feet moving like she was in a duel with the floor.
Lucian stepped inside, and the floorboards betrayed him with a loud creak.
The violin screeched to a halt as the girl yelped, nearly throwing the instrument at him. "Who's there?!" she demanded, gripping the bow like a sword.
Lucian raised his hands in what he hoped was a disarming gesture. "Easy, I'm not here to steal your violin."
Her eyes narrowed. "Wait... You're him, aren't you? The Alpha King."
Caught, Lucian scratched the back of his neck. "Uh, yeah. That's me. But you can call me Lucian. Less formal."
The girl stared at him, clearly unimpressed. "Lucian, huh? Well, you scared the living daylights out of me, so congratulations."
He chuckled, stepping closer. "I didn't mean to. I heard your playing and…" He paused, searching for the right words. "It was… passionate."
"Passionate?" she repeated, arching an eyebrow. "That's a fancy way of saying 'loud.'"
"Maybe," he admitted with a grin. "But it was good. You don't hear music like that every day."
The girl relaxed a little, lowering her bow. "I'm Amily. And before you ask, yes, I'm Olivia's younger sister."
Lucian blinked, caught off guard. "You're her sister? I didn't know she had a sister."
Amily shrugged. "Figures. I'm kind of the family secret. You know, the one they don't trot out for events like this." She gestured vaguely in the direction of the ball. "Something about being too 'free-spirited.'"
Lucian smirked. "Free-spirited, huh? Is that code for 'troublemaker'?"
"Probably," she said, leaning casually against a table. "But don't worry, Your Majesty, I'm not here to ruin your big night. Just needed to blow off some steam."
"Looks like you were taking it out on that poor violin," Lucian teased, nodding toward the instrument.
Amily laughed, a sound that was equal parts amusement and mischief. "Hey, it's a mutual relationship. I give it life; it lets me vent. We've got an understanding."
He found himself laughing too, something he hadn't done in ages. "Well, Amily, I think you might be the most interesting person I've met tonight."
"That's not saying much," she quipped. "It's a room full of people trying to impress you or marry you."
Lucian shook his head. "Exactly why I'm here and not there."
Amily studied him for a moment, then grinned. "Well, since you're hiding out, want me to play something less… violent?"
"Surprise me," he said, leaning against the doorframe.
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