A gentle breeze danced through the gardens of the imperial palace, carrying with it the sweet scent of blooming flowers and the delicate rustle of leaves. In the heart of this tranquil oasis, Cassiopeia tended to the flowers that graced her surroundings. Her fingers brushed against the petals with grace, as if coaxing life itself to flourish under her touch.
Duke Alexis's vigilant eyes tracked her every step from a distance, hidden behind the thick foliage. Alexis had been drawn to the palace like a moth to a flame since his coronation as the Imperial Prince. The appeal of Cassiopeia, who possessed both power and beauty, was irresistible.
Magnus kept staring out his window, and when his dark eyes landed on Duke Alexis, they narrowed. The proclamation had been a double-edged sword, raisin
