The palace was quiet in the early morning hours, the chaos of the Selection momentarily stilled. Princess Amara sat in her private sitting room, sipping tea as the first rays of sunlight streamed through the tall windows. Sleep had been elusive the night before, her mind preoccupied with thoughts of Toby Kingsley.

There was something about him—his grounded nature, his quiet loyalty—that had stayed with her. It wasn't romantic, at least not yet, but it was something she couldn't ignore. For the first time, she wondered if it was worth sharing her thoughts with her family.

A Moment with the Queen

Later that day, Amara found her mother, Queen Alessandra Schreave, tending to her roses in the palace gardens. The queen, regal even in casual attire, looked up and smiled as Amara approached.

"Good morning, Amara. You're up early."

Amara shrugged, folding her hands behind her back. "Couldn't sleep."

Alessandra tilted her head, her motherly intuition kicking in. "Something on your mind?"

Amara hesitated, plucking at the sleeve of her dress. "It's... complicated."

Setting down her pruning shears, the queen gestured for her daughter to sit on the bench beside her. "I've handled my share of complications. Try me."

Taking a deep breath, Amara said, "There's someone I've noticed lately. Someone who's not part of the Selection. He's a trainee guard, Toby Kingsley."

Alessandra's eyebrows rose, but she didn't interrupt.

"He's... different," Amara continued. "Grounded. Honest. He doesn't try to impress me or treat me like I'm some untouchable royal. It's refreshing."

The queen regarded her daughter thoughtfully. "And how do you feel about him?"

Amara shook her head. "I don't know yet. I just... I feel like he's someone I could trust. Someone I could talk to without the weight of the crown hanging over me."

Alessandra reached out, placing a hand on Amara's. "It's natural to want that kind of connection. But you need to be careful, Amara. Toby may be loyal, but the palace is full of eyes and ears. If this becomes public, it could complicate not only your life but his as well."

"I know," Amara said softly. "That's why I came to you first. I don't want to make a mistake."

Alessandra gave her hand a reassuring squeeze. "You're wise to confide in me. Take your time, Amara. Get to know him from a distance, and be sure of your feelings before you act. The last thing you need is a scandal overshadowing your brother's Selection."

Confiding in Kaius

That evening, Amara sought out her brother. Kaius was in the library, reviewing notes on the contestants for his next round of dates. He looked up as Amara entered, a tired smile on his face.

"Should I be worried?" he joked. "You never come here unless you need something."

Amara rolled her eyes, taking a seat across from him. "Very funny. I actually do need to talk to you, though."

Kaius leaned back in his chair, studying her. "Alright. What's on your mind?"

She hesitated for a moment before saying, "There's someone in the palace I've been thinking about. One of the trainee guards—Toby Kingsley."

Kaius's eyebrows shot up. "A guard? Amara, that's... unexpected."

"I know," she admitted. "But he's not like the others. He's real, Kaius. He doesn't care about titles or appearances. And I feel like I can be myself around him, even if I haven't spent much time with him."

Kaius tapped a pen against his notebook, his expression serious. "Do you trust him?"

"Yes," she said without hesitation.

Kaius nodded slowly. "Then you need to be careful, Amara. The palace isn't kind to relationships like this, especially with someone in his position. If you pursue this, you're going to face scrutiny—from the public, the staff, even some of our own family."

"I know," she said quietly. "But I'm not even sure if it's something I want to pursue. I just... I needed to tell someone."

Kaius smiled faintly. "I get it. Trust me, I know how hard it is to feel like no one sees you for who you really are. If Toby makes you feel that way, I won't judge you for it."

Amara gave him a grateful look. "Thanks, Kaius. I knew you'd understand."

The Burden of Secrets

Later that night, Amara returned to her chambers, her conversation with her mother and brother replaying in her mind. She felt a weight lift from her shoulders, but a new one replaced it: the burden of secrecy.

As a princess, her every move was scrutinized. If her growing curiosity about Toby became public, it could jeopardize not only her reputation but his career as well. For now, she decided to follow her mother's advice—to observe from a distance and take things slowly.

But deep down, she couldn't shake the feeling that Toby Kingsley was someone worth knowing better.

And as the palace buzzed with the drama of the Selection, Amara found herself facing a dilemma of her own, one that could change the course of her life just as much as her brother's would.