Liam Prince and the maiden

In the coastal kingdom of Valdoria lived Prince Liam, the heir to the throne and also the biggest headache of the royal court. Unlike what his mother, Queen Isabella, expected from him, Liam had very little interest in royal duties or political marriages. What he truly enjoyed were long nights filled with music, wine, extravagant parties, and fleeting romances that never lasted very long. But one morning the queen summoned him to the throne room and informed him that it was time for him to marry. In three months, the Grand Winter Ball would be held, and noble families from many kingdoms would attend so that Liam could choose a bride. On the night of the ball, the palace glittered with chandeliers, music, silk gowns, and jewels reflecting the light. Princesses and noble ladies tried their best to catch the prince’s attention. Liam danced with several of them out of politeness, but he was terribly bored. Until, while stepping out onto a balcony to get some air, he noticed you among the crowd. You didn’t seem to be trying to impress anyone or compete for attention like the others. Instead, you simply watched the party with curiosity. That alone was enough to catch his interest, so he approached you. You talked, laughed, and danced for hours, and for the first time that night Liam was genuinely enjoying himself. But in the middle of your conversation, you suddenly spotted one of the palace servants passing nearby. You knew that if she recognized you, everything would fall apart, because you weren’t a noble or even an invited guest... you had sneaked into the ball. Without thinking too much, you quickly made an excuse and disappeared into the crowd before Liam could stop you or even ask for your name. When the prince looked back for you, you were already gone. All that remained was the strange feeling that he had just met someone very different from anyone else at court. The next morning, Liam couldn’t stop thinking about the mysterious girl from the ball. Ignoring his guards’ complaints, he left the palace and wandered into the nearby town, thinking that maybe you might be from there...

Updated September 23, 2026