Benjamin Frederick, with his striking shorts golden hair and captivating green eyes, had always been the bane of Lily White's existence. As former classmates at the prestigious Knight and Wizards Academy, they were constantly at odds, their rivalry fueling their excellence in sword fighting and martial arts.

Lily, with her long black hair and piercing light blue eyes, had always despised Benjamin's charming smile and effortless charm. She vowed never to speak to him again after graduation, and for two years, they went their separate ways.

Lily, now a skilled swordswoman and martial artist, had been groomed to become the perfect wife, learning etiquette and proper education. She never knew the meaning of love, always obeying her parents' wishes.

But fate had other plans.

The King of the North, Lily's father, and the King of the South Empire decided to unite their kingdoms, arranging an engagement between Lily and Benjamin, now the Prince of the South.

The engagement party, attended by both kingdoms, was a grand affair. Benjamin's eyes locked onto Lily's, and for a moment, they forgot their past animosity. The air was electric with tension as they exchanged vows, their hearts heavy with the weight of duty.

As they danced, Benjamin's hand on Lily's waist sent shivers down her spine. For the first time, she felt a spark of attraction towards her former rival.

But their love was forbidden, their kingdoms' union built on political convenience rather than true affection. They were expected to marry, but their hearts belonged to themselves.

As they navigated the complexities of their engagement, secrets and mysteries threatened to tear them apart. Could they find a way to be together, or would their duty to their kingdoms destroy their chance at true love?

In this tale of forbidden love, Benjamin and Lily must confront their past, their hearts, and the secrets that bind them. Will they find a way to be together, or will their love remain forever forbidden?

As the days passed, Benjamin and Lily found themselves growing closer, their initial animosity turning into a tentative friendship. They would steal glances at each other during meetings and ceremonies, their eyes locking in a way that made their hearts skip a beat.

But their love was still forbidden, and they knew it. They were from different kingdoms, and their union was meant to secure peace, not passion.

One night, as they walked in the gardens, Benjamin turned to Lily and asked, "Do you ever wonder what it would be like if we weren't bound by duty?"

Lily's heart raced as she met his gaze. "I try not to think about it," she whispered.

Benjamin's eyes burned with intensity. "I can't help but think about it," he said, his voice low. "I want to know what it would be like to love you freely."

Lily's breath caught in her throat. No one had ever spoken to her like that before.

Suddenly, a figure emerged from the shadows. "You shouldn't be talking like that," a voice growled.

Benjamin and Lily turned to face the intruder, their hearts pounding in unison.

It was Alexander, Benjamin's brother, his eyes blazing with anger.

"You're engaged to be married," Alexander spat. "You can't just forget about your duties."

Benjamin stood tall, his eyes never leaving Lily's face. "I know my duties," he said. "But I also know my heart."

Lily's heart skipped a beat as she realized the truth. Benjamin was willing to risk everything for her.

But was she willing to do the same?

Alexander's face twisted in disgust. "You're willing to risk the peace between our kingdoms for a fleeting infatuation?"

Benjamin's jaw clenched. "It's not an infatuation, Alexander. I love her."

Lily's heart soared at his words, but she knew they couldn't be together. Not yet.

"Benjamin, please," she whispered. "Don't say anything else."

But Benjamin wouldn't be silenced. "I won't deny my feelings, Lily. I won't pretend to be something I'm not."

Alexander sneered. "You're a fool, Benjamin. You'll ruin everything."

With that, he turned and stormed off, leaving Benjamin and Lily alone in the gardens.

Benjamin turned to Lily, his eyes burning with intensity. "I don't care about the consequences," he said. "I want to be with you."

Lily's heart raced as she met his gaze. She wanted to be with him too, but she knew it couldn't happen. Not yet.

"Benjamin, please," she whispered. "We have to be careful. We can't risk everything."

Benjamin's face fell, but he nodded. "I know," he said. "But I promise you, Lily. I'll find a way for us to be together. No matter what it takes."

And with that, he turned and walked away, leaving Lily to wonder what the future held for them.

Days turned into weeks, and weeks turned into months. Benjamin and Lily continued to see each other in secret, their love growing stronger with each passing day.

But their love was not without its challenges. Alexander's animosity towards them only grew, and he began to plot against them.

One night, as they walked in the gardens, Benjamin turned to Lily with a serious look on his face. "I have to tell you something," he said. "Alexander is planning something. I don't know what it is, but I know it can't be good."

Lily's heart skipped a beat. "What can we do?" she asked.

Benjamin's jaw clenched. "I'll take care of it," he said. "But I need you to promise me something."

"Anything," Lily said.

"Promise me you'll be careful," Benjamin said. "If anything happens to me, I need to know you'll be safe."

Lily's eyes welled up with tears. "I promise," she whispered.

Just then, a figure emerged from the shadows. It was Alexander, a sly smile spreading across his face.

"Ah, perfect timing," he said. "I see you're still indulging in your little romance."

Benjamin stepped forward, his eyes blazing with anger. "Alexander, what are you planning?"

Alexander chuckled. "Oh, just a little surprise," he said. "Something that will put an end to your love once and for all."

And with that, he turned and disappeared into the night, leaving Benjamin and Lily to wonder what lay ahead.

[17/08, 23:27] Meta AI: Here is the continuation of the story:

Benjamin's eyes narrowed. "We need to be careful," he said. "Alexander is planning something, and I don't think it's good."

Lily nodded, her heart racing with fear. "What can we do?" she asked.

Benjamin thought for a moment. "I'll talk to my father," he said. "See if he knows anything about Alexander's plans."

Lily nodded, feeling a sense of relief. "And I'll talk to my mother," she said. "See if she's noticed anything strange."

Benjamin nodded, his eyes locking onto hers. "We'll get through this, Lily," he said. "Together."

But as they parted ways, Lily couldn't shake the feeling that they were running out of time.

That night, she snuck out of the castle, making her way to the stables. She had to know what Alexander was planning, and she knew just the person to ask.

As she approached the stables, she saw a figure lurking in the shadows. It was Thomas, Alexander's loyal servant.

"Thomas, what are you doing here?" Lily asked, trying to keep her voice steady.

Thomas looked up, his eyes gleaming with malice. "I'm just waiting for the perfect moment to strike," he said.

Lily's heart skipped a beat. "What do you mean?" she asked.

Benjamin's eyes narrowed. "We need to be careful," he said. "Alexander is planning something, and I don't think it's good."

Lily nodded, her heart racing with fear. "What can we do?" she asked.

Benjamin thought for a moment. "I'll talk to my father," he said. "See if he knows anything about Alexander's plans."

Lily nodded, feeling a sense of relief. "And I'll talk to my mother," she said. "See if she's noticed anything strange."

Benjamin nodded, his eyes locking onto hers. "We'll get through this, Lily," he said. "Together."

But as they parted ways, Lily couldn't shake the feeling that they were running out of time.

That night, she snuck out of the castle, making her way to the stables. She had to know what Alexander was planning, and she knew just the person to ask.

As she approached the stables, she saw a figure lurking in the shadows. It was Thomas, Alexander's loyal servant.

"Thomas, what are you doing here?" Lily asked, trying to keep her voice steady.

Thomas looked up, his eyes gleaming with malice. "I'm just waiting for the perfect moment to strike," he said.

Lily's heart skipped a beat. "What do you mean?" she asked.

Thomas sneered. "You'll find out soon enough," he said. "But for now, let's just say that Alexander's plan is already in motion."

And with that, he turned and disappeared into the night, leaving Lily to wonder what lay ahead.

Lily's heart was racing as she made her way back to the castle. She knew she had to warn Benjamin about Thomas's ominous warning.

As she entered the castle, she saw Benjamin pacing in the hallway. "Lily, I've been looking everywhere for you," he said, his eyes filled with worry.

"I saw Thomas," Lily said, her voice barely above a whisper. "He said Alexander's plan is already in motion."

Benjamin's face darkened. "We have to act fast," he said. "We can't let Alexander ruin everything."

Just then, a loud noise echoed through the hallway. They turned to see Alexander standing in front of them, a triumphant smile on his face.

"It's too late," Alexander said. "My plan is already in motion. And there's nothing you can do to stop it."

Benjamin's eyes narrowed. "What have you done, Alexander?" he growled.

Alexander chuckled. "You'll find out soon enough," he said. "But for now, let's just say that you'll never be with Lily again."

And with that, he turned and walked away, leaving Benjamin and Lily to wonder what lay ahead.

Suddenly, the castle doors burst open, and a group of guards rushed in. "Benjamin, you're under arrest," one of them said.

Benjamin's eyes widened in shock. "What's going on?" he demanded.

But before anyone could answer, he was dragged away, leaving Lily alone and frightened.

Lily's heart was racing as she made her way back to the castle. She knew she had to warn Benjamin, but she didn't know what Alexander's plan was.

As she entered the castle, she saw Benjamin waiting for her in the hallway. "Lily, what did you find out?" he asked, his eyes filled with concern.

Lily took a deep breath. "Thomas said Alexander's plan is already in motion," she said. "But he didn't say what it was."

Benjamin's face darkened. "We need to be careful," he said. "We don't know what we're up against."

Just then, a loud noise echoed through the hallway. They turned to see Alexander standing in front of them, a triumphant smile on his face.

"It's too late for warnings," he said. "My plan is already in motion. And soon, you'll both be out of the way."

Lily's heart skipped a beat as Alexander's guards stepped forward, surrounding them.

"What have you done, Alexander?" Benjamin demanded.

Alexander chuckled. "You'll find out soon enough," he said. "But for now, let's just say that you're both going to be taking a little trip."

And with that, the guards closed in, dragging Benjamin and Lily away.

Next on, are we meant to be

Lily struggled against the guards, but they were too strong. She was dragged away, her eyes fixed on Benjamin's helpless form as he was pulled in the opposite direction.

"Benjamin!" she screamed, but her voice was muffled by the guards' hands.

She was thrown into a dark, damp cellar, the door slamming shut behind her. Lily stumbled forward, her hands outstretched in front of her.

"Benjamin?" she called out, but there was no answer.

Suddenly,.............. to be continued