Beneath the surface

The next morning, Hazel awoke to the muted gray light filtering through her window, but her mind was still clouded with thoughts of Damon. His intense gaze, that smirk as if he already knew her every thought—it all lingered like a whisper she couldn’t ignore.

Determined to regain some control, she rose, slipping into her day’s attire with an unspoken resolve. Today, she would take matters into her own hands. If this was to be her future, she’d confront it on her terms.

She found Evelyn in the courtyard, her friend lounging with a look that said she knew more than she let on. Evelyn’s grin widened as Hazel approached, her eyes gleaming with mischief.

"So, has our dark prince haunted your dreams already?" Evelyn teased, watching as Hazel rolled her eyes but couldn’t quite stifle a small, embarrassed smile.

"Don’t flatter him," Hazel muttered, trying to appear nonchalant. "He may be powerful, but he’s not the only one with a plan. If my father wants me to marry him, then Damon will find I’m not some pawn to be moved about on his whim."

Evelyn raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "Sounds like someone’s ready for battle."

Hazel merely nodded, feeling the weight of her resolve settle over her. She knew her father’s decision was made, and Damon’s agreement was final. But how this marriage unfolded—that, she told herself, was still within her grasp.

---

Later that day, Hazel found herself wandering through the castle gardens, her thoughts drifting to the world outside the kingdom’s walls. She’d often wondered what lay beyond them, what kind of life she might have lived if not bound by duty and lineage. And now, with Damon’s shadow looming over her future, that freedom seemed further away than ever.

As she rounded a corner, she spotted him—Damon stood near the rose bushes, hands clasped behind his back, his attention fixed on the horizon as though contemplating some far-off destiny.

For a moment, she considered turning back, but something within her wouldn’t allow it. Summoning her courage, she approached him, the soft crunch of gravel beneath her feet announcing her presence. Damon turned, his eyes meeting hers with that familiar intensity that made her heart quicken despite herself.

"Princess Hazel," he greeted her with a slight nod. "It seems you’re as restless as I am."

She crossed her arms, refusing to let him unnerve her. "I prefer not to waste time on formalities, Lord Damon. If we’re to be wed, let’s speak plainly."

His smirk returned, though his gaze softened just a fraction. "Very well. Plainly, then. I understand you feel you’re being offered as a bargaining chip, but my intentions are not as simple as that."

Hazel narrowed her eyes. "Then enlighten me. What exactly do you gain from this alliance?"

Damon’s expression grew unreadable as he stepped closer, the scent of dark spices and something faintly dangerous lingering around him. "Power is always an answer, Princess. But perhaps I’m not the only one who benefits here."

She tilted her head, holding his gaze. "And you think I benefit from an arranged marriage to a man known for his ruthlessness?"

His voice dropped to a low, almost intimate tone. "I think you benefit from someone who understands that you’re not a typical princess."

Hazel’s breath caught, his words catching her off guard, laced with a sincerity that was both unnerving and strangely compelling. For a moment, the world around them faded, leaving only his steady gaze on hers, as if daring her to look beyond his reputation.

"And yet," she replied, regaining her composure, "I still wonder if I can trust you."

Damon chuckled softly, the sound rich with amusement. "Perhaps you shouldn’t."

Hazel held his gaze, her determination only hardening. "Then we’ll see which of us blinks first, Lord Damon."

The corners of his mouth lifted, his expression a mixture of admiration and challenge. "Indeed we will."

---

As Hazel walked away, her heart raced, but she kept her pace steady, her mind churning with thoughts of this strange, compelling man. She barely noticed Evelyn waiting for her until she felt her friend’s hand on her shoulder.

Evelyn looked at her, eyes sparkling with a knowing smile. "Oh, you’re in for quite the adventure."

Hazel sighed, a hint of a smile finally breaking through her guarded expression. "Yes, and I have a feeling it’s only just begun."