Hearts on fire: A tale of love and rivalry

le. "You're quite charming yourself, Your Highness," she said, teasing him

surrender. "Guilty as charged," he said, a mischievous glimmer in hi

there was no hint of mockery in his eyes; he genuinely seemed to be tryin

ay lock of hair behind her ear. "That means more than you know,

one had ever treated her with such tenderness before. Her stomach was f

're adorable when you get flustered, you know

and she tried to play it cool. "I'm not-" she started

ttle closer. "I can see the way your cheeks flus

was loving every moment of it. No one had ever paid such close attention to

ords. "You don't get compliments often, do you?" he asked, his

hat obvious?" she asked, a little self-consci

s. "You should be showered with compliments every day," he said, his voi

to insist that she was not worthy of such extravagant compliments. But another part of

ly. "Don't fight it," he said, his voice gentle but firm. "You deser

move to an

, laughing, dancing. In the midst of all this, Gerald suggested they find a quieter corner to talk. I

interrupted by the arrival of Nora. She had been dancing and schmoozing with the other guests,

dripping with false sweetness. "Don't you two look cozy

t Diana merely rolled her eyes, unfazed by her step-sister's

ether," Nora said, her eyes darting between Gerald and Diana with

ply, Diana spoke up. "We're just having a conversation, Nora," sh

come now, little sister," she said, trying to sound nonchalant. "Just because I enjoy the att

n. "Somehow I doubt that," she muttered un

ballroom, Gerald let out a deep sigh. "Your s

trance, preparing to say their goodbyes. The crowd around th

he night," Gerald said, his

h the fabric of her dress. There was a heavy silence as the

adable. He seemed to be struggling with something, as t

ight," he said. "Spending time with you, hea

enjoyed myself too," she admitted, her cheeks flushing ever so slightly. "Esp

interrupted by the approach of Nora, who saun