The girls had been captivated by the dazzling view of the palace, their eyes wide with wonder, when the sudden thunder of hooves against the cobblestones startled them. From around the corner came a carriage the likes of which none of them had ever seen, its frame forged entirely of shimmering gold that caught the dying light of the day and reflected it like fire. The wheels gleamed as though polished by the hands of artisans, and the crests engraved along its sides seemed to pulse with authority.

Selene glanced at it briefly, her lips twisting in mild annoyance, while Nyx and Lira turned their attention back to the palace almost immediately, unimpressed by the ostentatious display.

From within the golden carriage, a curtain was drawn aside, and the young man seated inside leaned forward. His eyes, sharp and discerning, fell immediately upon the three women. Their beauty was not the type that could be mistaken or hidden. It was the kind that demanded attention, that held itself with grace no matter the surroundings. The young man's brow lifted slightly, his lips curving into an intrigued smile.

"Stop," he ordered, his voice calm but carrying the unmistakable tone of command.

The driver pulled the reins, and the carriage rolled to a halt. Several armored guards in immaculate livery rode forward, forming a semicircle as if to announce their master's presence. The young man leaned closer, speaking quietly to one of them. "Bring them to me."

The guards dismounted swiftly and approached the girls, bowing with courteous yet firm gestures. One of them, clad in silver-plated armor, spoke with rehearsed authority. "Ladies, the young master requests your presence at his carriage. He wishes to speak with you."

Lira glanced at Nyx with uncertainty before bowing politely. "We appreciate the honor, but we must decline. We are only travelers, and it would be improper to trouble your master with our company."

Nyx followed with a graceful nod, her expression polite but distant. "Please convey our respect to him. We have no wish to intrude."

Selene, however, crossed her arms and gave a half-scoff, her voice laced with biting sarcasm. "Tell your young master that if he wants company, he should look elsewhere. We are not trinkets to be summoned like dogs at the whistle of a rich man."

The guards stiffened at her words, their eyes narrowing slightly, but they did not move against her. They turned uncertainly toward the golden carriage, awaiting further instruction.

Inside, the young man leaned back, laughter bubbling from his chest. "Interesting," he murmured, his eyes bright with amusement. He was accustomed to women tripping over themselves for the chance to catch his gaze, bowing and flattering at the mere sight of his wealth and status. But here were three women, radiant and elegant, who had neither flinched nor fawned. One was sharp-tongued, one was indifferent, and one carried herself with quiet dignity.

His interest deepened. "Unfazed, are they? Then they must be of noble stock," he mused aloud, his curiosity now thoroughly piqued. "Beautiful, graceful, and yet unwilling to bow. Such women are rare indeed."

Without hesitation, he pushed the curtain aside, swung the door open, and stepped down from the golden carriage himself. His presence immediately drew the eyes of those nearby. He was tall...much taller than Lucas...and carried himself with the confidence of a man used to command. His features were sharp and noble, his skin smooth, his bearing refined. Every movement suggested both power and privilege, yet his smile was disarmingly warm.

The girls gave him only a passing glance before turning back toward the palace. They were unimpressed. Whatever admiration they felt was still reserved for the towering fortress that loomed before them, not for the finely dressed stranger who now approached.

The young man paused, momentarily stunned by their lack of reaction. He was striking, he knew that...admired wherever he went...and yet these women treated him as though he were no more than another passerby. Instead of offense, however, he felt something else: delight.

"They are different," he whispered to himself. "Not swayed by gold or titles. Not desperate for attention. Beautiful, yes… but even more, untouchable."

From within his carriage, his guards shifted uneasily, waiting for a command. But their master waved them off and strode forward alone, his gaze fixed on the three women who had dared to ignore him.

From the other side of the street, Lucas sat quietly inside his carriage, his arms folded as he leaned against the frame. His sharp eyes never left the scene. He did not move, did not intervene. He had already felt the shift in the air the moment the golden carriage arrived. He could sense the pride, the arrogance, and the entitlement radiating from the young man even from a distance.

"Trouble," Lucas thought, his lips curving faintly though his expression remained composed. He could feel it coming, thick in the air like the heaviness before a storm. Still, he chose to wait. To watch. Sometimes, letting a situation play out revealed more than stepping in too soon.

The young man stepped closer, his eyes drinking in the sight of the three women before him. His smile was charming but carried the weight of pride, the kind only someone born into untouchable privilege could bear.

"You are truly radiant," he said, his gaze sweeping over them without shame. "Where do such rare blossoms hail from? Surely not from within our walls, I would have known if beauties such as yourselves resided in Lechia."

Selene folded her arms, her chin tilted ever so slightly upward as she responded first. "We come from far away," she said curtly, her tone almost dismissive.

Lira, sensing Selene's sharpness, quickly softened the words with a polite smile. "Yes, my lord, we are travelers. The road has been long, but we endure."

Nyx nodded silently, her eyes fixed on him in careful observation, though she offered no words.

The young man's brows arched with intrigue. "Far away, you say? Then allow me to extend Lechia's hospitality. You must be weary, exhausted even. I can have you escorted to one of the imperial apartments. Rest, refresh yourselves, and enjoy the luxuries that you deserve."

Selene did not even blink. "We are not interested."

The heir's smile faltered just slightly, though he forced it back into place. He was not accustomed to rejection, especially not from women. "Not interested?" he repeated, his voice holding the edge of disbelief.

Nyx gave a small shake of her head, her tone polite but firm. "We thank you for your generosity, my lord, but we cannot accept."

His eyes lingered on them, as if trying to decipher their motives. A quiet silence fell before he straightened his back and placed a hand over his chest. "Perhaps I should properly introduce myself. I am Prince Khan of Lechia, heir to the throne, the only son of Her Imperial Majesty the Empress."

The air around them shifted in an instant. The girls froze, their eyes widening as the weight of his words settled in. Their lips parted in shock before they immediately dropped into respectful bows, their previous sharpness melting into hurried apologies.

"Your Highness!" Lira exclaimed, lowering her head deeply. "We did not know… forgive our disrespect."

Nyx quickly added, her voice steady but respectful. "We humbly apologize, Prince Khan. Our ignorance was unworthy of your station."

Even Selene, though slower and with less enthusiasm, bowed her head and muttered, "We did not realize."

Kahn's lips curved into a satisfied smile. He had expected this....admiration, reverence, and humility. His pride swelled, and he softened his voice, relaying his earlier offer again with confidence. "Now that you understand, allow me once more to extend the imperial hand. Rest in my apartments, dine in luxury, and let Lechia's future emperor show you the comfort you deserve."

But to his shock, the girls lifted their heads and..

one by one...declined again.

"We are grateful, but we cannot," Nyx said, her words gentle but resolute.

Lira nodded, her voice softer but still carrying the weight of refusal. "Please forgive us, but we must decline."

Selene, her eyes narrowing just slightly, added coldly, "We did not travel all this way to be pampered like helpless flowers."

Kahn's smile cracked, disbelief spreading across his face. Few men, let alone women, dared to deny him. His chest tightened with the insult, his pride flaring hotter than reason. His voice grew sharper as he stepped closer.

"Do you understand who stands before you?" he asked, his eyes flashing. "If I demanded one night in your company, do you truly think you would have the choice to deny me? My word is law. My will is unquestioned."

The words struck them like a slap, and fury lit in Selene's eyes. She stepped forward, her hands balled into fists. "You dare speak so lowly to us?" she spat, her voice laced with venom. "We are not toys to be bought, nor slaves to be ordered around. Remember your crown before you speak so carelessly."

The prince's face hardened with rage. Without warning, his hand shot out and struck Selene's ass in a vile gesture of dominance.

The sound echoed sharply.

Selene froze for only a fraction of a second before her eyes blazed with fire. Then, in one swift motion, her hand lashed across his face with a resounding crack.

The world itself seemed to stop. The prince staggered back, stunned, his cheek burning red. The nobles passing by gasped audibly, whispers breaking out like wildfire. The guards' hands instinctively tightened on their weapons.

Selene stood there, unyielding, her chest heaving with fury. Nyx's eyes widened in horror, and Lira clutched her sleeve, whispering urgently, "Selene, what have you done?"

Prince Kahn's shock melted into pure rage. His voice thundered across the square as he barked, "Arrest them! Now!"

The guards surged forward, their hesitation vanished at the command.

From the carriage nearby, Lucas sighed deeply, his expression calm yet weary as he leaned against the frame. His voice was quiet, almost to himself, but heavy with meaning.

"Troubles always seem to find me."

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.