Chapter 1 - The Prince Who Would Not Choose

The music was loud and the women were everywhere.

“Your Highness, dance with me.”

“Oh, no, he promised me the next dance.”

“Atlas, look at me. I wore this gown just for you.”

Prince Atlas Mavros smiled politely while three noble daughters fought over his arm like cats over fresh meat.

The royal ballroom glittered with gold chandeliers and people gorgeously dressed up. It was a grand celebration at the palace.

But to Atlas, it felt like a trap.

He gently freed his sleeve from Lady Cassandra’s grip.

“Ladies,” he said with a charming smile that had ruined many hearts across the kingdom, “if I danced with all of you tonight, I fear the musicians would collapse from exhaustion.”

The women laughed. As they always did to his dry jokes.

Atlas was handsome. Everyone said so.

Tall. Dark hair. Sharp jaw. Cute eyes.

But Atlas… felt nothing for any of those ladies.

He bowed slightly and escaped before they could pull him back.

Behind him someone whispered loudly.

“Why does he never choose anyone?”

Another voice answered.

“Maybe he enjoys the chase.”

Atlas pretended not to hear.

He grabbed a glass of wine from a passing servant and walked toward the balcony doors. The cool night air outside was the only place in the palace where he could breathe.

He stepped onto the balcony and leaned against the stone railing and exhaled.

Gosh, I hate these events.

“You ran away again.”

Atlas groaned.

He didn’t need to turn around to recognize that voice.

Prince Gaius stepped onto the balcony, smirking.

Gaius looked similar to Atlas, same dark hair, same royal features but there was something colder in his eyes.

“Running away from beautiful women,” Gaius said, leaning beside him. “A habit unfit for the future king.”

Atlas sipped his wine.

“Maybe I’m shy.”

Gaius laughed out loud.

“You?” He shook his head. “The man half the kingdom wants to marry?”

Atlas shrugged.

Across the ballroom doors, another group of noblewomen was already watching him again.

Gaius followed his gaze.

“You do realize that Father expects you to choose a bride soon.”

“I’m aware.”

“You’re thirty-two.”

“Yes, thank you for the reminder.” Atlas turn around to admire the moon.

Gaius tilted his head, studying him carefully.

“You’ve rejected… what? Twenty proposals now?”

“Twenty.”

Gaius snorted.

“Unbelievable.”

Atlas drank again.

Gaius’s tone shifted slightly.

“Is there a reason?”

Atlas frowned.

“For what?”

“For why you never choose anyone.”

“You know,” Gaius said casually, “The court has begun spreading rumors.”

Atlas rolled his eyes again with a stain of disgust and said.

“They always do.”

“Oh yes.” Gaius leaned closer. “But this one is my favorite.”

Atlas sighed.

“Enlighten me.”

Gaius’s voice dropped.

“They say the Crown Prince simply hasn’t found the right woman.”

Atlas snorted.

“That’s not a scandal.”

“Oh, but wait.” Gaius’s grin widened. “There’s another version.”

Atlas didn’t like the way he said that.

Gaius tapped the balcony rail slowly.

“They say perhaps the Crown Prince isn’t looking for a woman at all.”

Atlas froze for a second.

“That’s ridiculous.”

“Is it?” Gaius said lightly.

Atlas drained his wine and pushed away from the railing.

“You’ve had too much to drink.”

He walked back toward the ballroom.

Behind him Gaius called out casually,

“Careful, brother.”

Atlas stopped.

Gaius leaned on the balcony, watching him with a strange smile.

“If you keep rejecting women like this, people might start believing the rumor.”

A knight stood near the wall removing his gloves after the earlier tournament.

Atlas’s eyes drifted toward him without thinking. He got distracted at the sight of the knight removing his gloves.

The knight pushed his hair back, laughing with another soldier. Not knowing that Prince Atlas was starting.

Atlas looked away immediately, confused by his own reactions.

Why do I always notice things like that? Why does my heart race like that ? He murmured.

“Your Highness.”

Atlas turned.

His youngest brother, Prince Theodo, approached quickly.

Theodo always looked serious, like the king’s personal messenger.

“Father wants you,” he said.

Atlas groaned softly.

“Now?”

“Yes.”

“That cannot be good news.”

Theodo lowered his voice.

“It’s about marriage.”

Of course it was.

Atlas followed him through the ballroom, past the dancing nobles and whispering courtiers.

The throne room doors opened.

King Aaron sat on the high seat, watching the festivities from afar.

His gaze was sharp.

Nothing escaped that man.

“Prince Atlas,” the king said calmly.

Atlas bowed.

“You wished to see me, Father.”

The king studied him silently for a moment.

Then he said something that made Atlas’s stomach drop.

“I have accepted a marriage proposal on your behalf.”

Atlas forced a smile.

“With who?”

The king answered without hesitation.

“Lady Katerina Valerius.”

Atlas’s chest tightened.

“The engagement announcement will be made soon,” the king continued.

Atlas’s fingers tightened slightly.

“Father…”

“This is not a request.”

Atlas nodded slowly.

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“You may return to the ball.”

Atlas bowed again.

He left the throne room.

As he stepped back into the crowd, the noblewomen smiled at him again. He forced another charming smile.

Atlas has just been forced into an engagement… And he needs a way out because he is not attracted to any of them.