The sun had barely risen when I found myself back on the bustling streets of the city, my mind racing with thoughts of escape. The idea of becoming a concubine to Prince Adrian was as suffocating as the crowded streets of the market. As I pushed through the throng of people, I couldn’t help but replay the events of yesterday’s meet and greet in my mind.

"I would rather go back to the streets than be a concubine to this over-pampered man who thinks he can have everything his way," I had said defiantly, meeting Prince Adrian’s gaze with unwavering eyes.

He chuckled, a sound that grated on my nerves. "You should be honored to be part of my concubines. Women roll on the floor and beg to be with me. Why are you different?" he asked, his arrogance almost palpable.

I remembered the old saying, “When a man is so full of himself, his downfall is for you to watch out for.” The prince turned back and left without another word, leaving me standing there, heart pounding in defiance.

When I returned home, my adopted parents were furious. "Lizzie! Lizzie!" my adopted mother screamed my name from her well-appointed room.

"Yes, Mother?" I replied, already weary of the confrontation.

"I heard you embarrassed us today at the meet and greet with the prince. Don't forget you have to do what we want. We picked you up from the streets, and you will go back there if you don’t accept the prince’s proposal."

"But Mother," I protested, "he wants me to be his concubine."

"And so?" she shouted. I was accustomed to her yelling, so it barely fazed me. "Are you worth more than a concubine? Do you want to be a princess?" she spat, laughing at me as if I had spoken nonsense. "You will go back tomorrow, apologize to the prince, and accept his proposal."

"No, Mother. I will do no such thing. I have dreams and aspirations, and I want to fulfill them. Please, Mother," I pleaded.

Her response was a night of beatings and being sent to bed without dinner. As usual, the following morning began with my name being shouted through the house.

"I'm sorry. My name is Elizabeth Michael. I'm fifteen years old, and I live with my adopted parents, who treat me as a punching bag when they're angry and as a maid daily. My biological parents abandoned me as a baby, and I know nothing of them. As for the prince, he’s well-known in our city. Long story short, my life is about as bleak as you can imagine. Anyway, after completing my chores, I left for school.

“Hey, Lizzie? Lizzie?” My friend Ann called, her voice cutting through my thoughts.

“What is it? Why are you shouting my name so much?” I asked, curious and slightly annoyed.

“The prince has been looking for you all morning,” Ann said, her eyes wide with excitement.

Ann sometimes scared me with her energy, but I loved her fiercely. She was my rock in a world of chaos.

“Why is the prince looking for me?” I asked, puzzled.

A voice behind me replied, “To have a word, of course.”

I turned to find Prince Adrian himself standing there. “What would you like to talk about?” I asked, my voice steady despite my racing heart.

“In private,” he replied, gesturing for us to move aside. We entered an empty classroom, and he stood there staring at me.

“What?” I asked, breaking the silence. “I mean no disrespect, but why are you staring at me like that?”

“Why did you refuse my proposal to be my concubine?” he asked, his tone genuine. “A lot of girls in this school have been waiting for such a chance, and you refuse. You would be my first concubine. I want to know why.”

I held his gaze. “Because I’m not other girls.”

He stepped closer, his eyes searching mine. “Fine. Be my deputy princess, then,” he said.

“I don’t want your money,” I replied firmly.

He moved closer, his hands resting on the wall beside me, his breath mingling with mine. “Be my princess, then,” he whispered, his eyes locking onto mine.

For a moment, I was at a loss for words, and then I slapped him. His face registered shock, surprise, and, strangely, a smile.

“I have been in this world for twenty-one years, and no one has ever slapped me,” he said, a hint of amusement in his voice.

I met his gaze, unflinching. “Don’t assume all women are the same. Your money, your power, your games don’t faze me.”

He leaned even closer and whispered in my ear, “What fazes you?”

I looked at him sharply. “What is that which is hard to find, easy to lose, and can last a lifetime?” I asked, my voice steady.

Without waiting for a reply, I pushed his hand away and walked out of the room. “When you find out, you know where to find me,” I said over my shoulder.

Days passed, and I neither saw nor heard from him. Two weeks later, a bouquet of roses and an invitation arrived from the prince, inviting me to dinner. I wanted to refuse, but my mother insisted I go, threatening that I’d have to fend for myself for a week if I didn’t. So, reluctantly, I went.

As soon as I arrived at the dinner, I saw him sitting there, waiting. “I told you I’m not interested, so please leave me alone,” I said as I approached.

He stood up, determination in his eyes. “I have a proposal for you.”

“And what’s that?” I asked, crossing my arms.

“Date me for two months. After two months, if you’re not interested, I’ll stop,” he said. “You don’t have to tell anyone. It can be our secret. Just two months.”

For reasons I couldn’t understand, I agreed.

Over the course of two months, we talked a lot and spent time together. He showered me with gifts, but it was his assistant, James, whom I found myself drawn to. James was sweet, always there when I needed him, and understanding. We hit it off, and by the time the two months were up, I told the prince I wasn’t interested.

However, James and I kept in touch. A week later, I saw James at a restaurant with someone else. Surprisingly, it didn’t break my heart. It was then I realized I didn’t like him romantically. I loved his company, and I thought of him as a brother.

I decided to talk to the prince the following day, but I didn’t know where to start. I was confused, but I knew one thing for sure: I was in love.

The next day, the prince’s home was bustling with dignitaries and presidents. But that wasn’t what broke my heart. Maybe I deserved it. Maybe I shouldn’t have rejected him. Just maybe.

I saw a huge picture of the prince with his arms wrapped around another woman, with the words, “Congratulations on Your Engagement.”

The grand hall of the prince's mansion was buzzing with life, filled with dignitaries, politicians, and elite members of society. The air was thick with excitement and whispers of admiration for the prince and his supposed fiancée. Elizabeth had entered the hall with determination in her heart, but when she saw the enormous portrait of Prince Adrian wrapped around another woman with the words "Congratulations on Your Engagement," the world tilted beneath her feet.

The room spun, colors blurring into a dizzying whirl as Elizabeth felt her knees buckle. Her vision tunneled, the edges going dark as she grasped at the air, trying to hold onto something, anything, before everything faded to black.

When Elizabeth awoke, she was in a richly decorated room, lying on an ornate bed with velvet drapes. The soft murmur of voices and the gentle rustle of fabric filled the air. Her head throbbed with a dull ache, and she blinked against the light filtering through the heavy curtains.

A figure stood by the window, silhouetted against the morning light. As her eyes adjusted, she saw it was Prince Adrian, his face drawn with concern.

“Where am I?” Elizabeth croaked, her voice weak and unfamiliar to her ears.

Adrian turned, relief washing over his features as he approached the bed. “You’re awake. Thank goodness. You’re in my home,” he said softly, his voice a soothing balm to her frayed nerves.

Elizabeth blinked at him, confusion knitting her brows together. “Who are you?” she asked, the question hanging in the air like a fragile thread.

A look of shock crossed Adrian’s face, quickly replaced by understanding and concern. “I’m Adrian,” he replied gently, “the prince. Do you remember what happened?”

She shook her head slowly, the action making her wince. “I don’t… I can’t remember anything,” she admitted, a note of panic creeping into her voice.

Adrian’s expression softened, and he reached out to gently squeeze her hand. “It’s okay, Elizabeth. You fainted, and now you’re safe. We’ll figure this out together.”

Elizabeth clung to his hand as if it were a lifeline, her heart racing with the unfamiliarity of her own name and the world around her. Yet, Adrian’s presence was calming, and she found herself trusting him instinctively.

The following days passed in a blur of doctors’ visits and whispered conversations. Elizabeth remained at the mansion, with Adrian often by her side, offering comfort and companionship. She learned about the accident that led to her memory loss but not about the engagement announcement that had triggered it.

The doctors had advised that she should not be overwhelmed with too much information at once, so Adrian had carefully curated what he shared with her. He introduced her to the basics of her life, glossing over the more painful details of their past interactions.

As the days turned into weeks, Elizabeth found herself drawn to Adrian. He was kind, attentive, and patient, qualities that warmed her heart and made her feel safe in an otherwise uncertain world.

One afternoon, as they walked through the mansion's lush gardens, Elizabeth found herself enjoying the gentle breeze and the vibrant colors of the flowers. She glanced at Adrian, who was watching her with a soft smile.

“This place is beautiful,” she said, her voice filled with awe.

“I’m glad you think so,” Adrian replied. “It was always your favorite spot.”

She stopped, turning to face him with curiosity. “Really? Tell me more.”

Adrian chuckled, the sound rich and warm. “You always loved spending time here. You’d sit under that old oak tree, reading for hours. It’s where you felt most at peace.”

Elizabeth smiled, imagining the scene he painted. “It sounds lovely,” she said, feeling a flicker of connection to the person she once was.

They continued their walk, and as they passed a group of palace staff arranging flowers for a banquet, Adrian explained, “We’re hosting an engagement party soon.”

The words hung between them, and Elizabeth felt a strange pang in her chest, a mix of unease and curiosity. “An engagement party?” she asked, glancing at him.

“Yes,” Adrian replied, his voice careful. “It’s a business arrangement to keep my family off my back. They’re very insistent about me settling down.”

Elizabeth nodded slowly, processing the information. Despite the logical explanation, a part of her felt disappointed, though she couldn’t quite understand why.

As the days went by, Elizabeth and Adrian spent more time together, planning the engagement party and discussing the logistics of his impending marriage. Despite the circumstances, Elizabeth found herself enjoying the process, savoring the moments she shared with Adrian.

One evening, as they sat in the drawing room, finalizing the guest list, Adrian looked at her with a thoughtful expression. “You’re really good at this, you know.”

Elizabeth blushed at the compliment. “I suppose I’ve always enjoyed organizing things,” she said with a shy smile.

“I’m grateful you’re helping with this,” Adrian said earnestly. “I couldn’t have done it without you.”

The warmth in his voice and the sincerity in his eyes made Elizabeth’s heart flutter. She realized, with a start, that she was beginning to feel something more for him, something that went beyond the comfort of familiarity.

As the party approached, Elizabeth found herself growing more nervous. She knew the event was important to Adrian, and she wanted everything to be perfect. On the night of the engagement party, the mansion was transformed into a dazzling spectacle of lights and music. Guests mingled in the grand ballroom, their laughter and chatter filling the air.

Elizabeth stood at the edge of the room, watching the scene unfold. She wore a beautiful gown, courtesy of Adrian, who had insisted she have something special to wear. The fabric flowed around her, making her feel like a princess from a fairy tale.

Adrian appeared at her side, offering his arm with a charming smile. “Shall we?”

She nodded, taking his arm as they made their way through the crowd. As they approached the center of the room, Adrian paused, turning to face her.

“I know this isn’t easy for you, being here without your memories,” he said, his voice low and sincere. “But I want you to know that I’m here for you, whatever you need.”

Elizabeth looked into his eyes, seeing the depth of his sincerity. Her heart swelled with gratitude and something more profound, a burgeoning affection she couldn’t quite define. “Thank you, Adrian,” she said softly. “I appreciate everything you’ve done for me.”

The music began to play, a soft, melodious waltz, and Adrian held out his hand. “May I have this dance?”

Elizabeth hesitated for a moment, then nodded, placing her hand in his. As they glided across the dance floor, surrounded by the glow of chandeliers and the warmth of the crowd, Elizabeth felt a sense of belonging she hadn’t experienced since waking up in this new world.

Her mind might have been a blank slate, but her heart was slowly being written with new memories, each one more precious than the last. As the music swelled and the world faded around them, Elizabeth realized she was falling in love with Adrian, not as the prince who had once proposed to her, but as the man who had stayed by her side through her darkest moments.

In that moment, Elizabeth knew that whatever challenges lay ahead, she was ready to face them. With Adrian by her side, she could reclaim her past and embrace a future she never dared to imagine.

The dance ended, and as they stepped off the floor, Elizabeth felt a surge of confidence and hope. She knew that whatever the future held, she was no longer alone. With Adrian's support and her growing love for him, she could overcome the challenges of her lost past and forge a new path together.

The prince’s engagement might have been a business arrangement, but for Elizabeth, it was a chance at a new beginning, one filled with promise, love, and the possibility of a happily ever after. As she looked into Adrian's eyes, she realized that she had indeed found her own fairy tale, one that she was determined to see through to its end.

The engagement party had been a glittering success, but beneath the façade of joy and celebration, tensions simmered. As Elizabeth and Adrian grew closer, sharing laughter and moments of genuine connection, the air around them thickened with the jealousy of those who felt threatened by their friendship.

Among those was Lady Isabella, Adrian’s fiancée in the business arrangement orchestrated by his family. A woman of exquisite beauty and impeccable pedigree, Isabella had agreed to the engagement to secure her own family's ambitions and social standing. However, she quickly grew resentful of Elizabeth’s presence and the bond she shared with Adrian.

Adrian's family, too, watched Elizabeth with suspicion and disdain. They had always seen her as an outsider, a complication in their carefully laid plans for Adrian’s future. His parents, the king and queen, tolerated Elizabeth's presence only because of her memory loss and Adrian's insistence on having her stay. Yet, their patience was wearing thin.

Adrian, aware of the growing animosity, tried his best to shield Elizabeth from the harshness of court life. He often spent time with her, taking her on walks through the palace gardens or engaging her in conversations about art and literature. He found solace in her company, a reprieve from the weight of his responsibilities and the facade he had to maintain with Isabella.

But soon, Adrian's royal duties called him away from the palace. A diplomatic trip to a neighboring kingdom required his presence, and despite his reluctance to leave Elizabeth, he had no choice but to fulfill his obligations.

"Elizabeth," he said softly, taking her hand in his as they stood in the palace courtyard, preparing for his departure. "I wish I didn't have to leave, but I promise I'll be back soon. In the meantime, if you need anything, you can always reach out to the staff or my advisor, Lord Harrington."

Elizabeth nodded, trying to mask her apprehension with a brave smile. "I understand, Adrian. I’ll be fine. Just come back soon."

He squeezed her hand, his eyes conveying a depth of emotion he hadn’t yet put into words. "Take care of yourself, Elizabeth. I’ll miss you."

As Adrian's carriage rolled away, Elizabeth felt a pang of loneliness. The palace, once filled with warmth and laughter during Adrian's presence, now seemed cold and imposing. She wandered through the halls, trying to shake off the unease that settled in her heart.

With Adrian gone, Isabella saw her chance to assert control. Her envy had festered into a dark, simmering resentment, and she wasted no time in making Elizabeth feel unwelcome. She orchestrated small cruelties, each designed to remind Elizabeth of her place as an outsider.

It began with snide remarks, delivered with a saccharine smile. "Oh, Elizabeth, you look so lovely in that dress. It's a pity it's last season's fashion," Isabella would say, her words cutting despite their sweet tone.

Elizabeth, not one to engage in confrontation, tried to brush off Isabella's comments, telling herself they were inconsequential. But as the days passed, the hostility grew more overt. Isabella made sure that Elizabeth was excluded from social gatherings, often giving her false information about events or neglecting to send invitations altogether.

One afternoon, as Elizabeth strolled through the gardens, seeking solace among the flowers, she was confronted by a group of noblewomen loyal to Isabella. They encircled her, their eyes gleaming with malice.

"Well, if it isn't the little lost lamb," one of them sneered. "What are you doing here, pretending to belong among us?"

Elizabeth felt her heart race, her mind searching for words to defend herself. But the sharpness of their glares and the cruelty in their voices rendered her speechless.

"You should know your place," another woman said, her voice dripping with disdain. "You're nothing more than a charity case. Adrian only keeps you around out of pity."

Tears pricked at Elizabeth's eyes, but she refused to let them see her cry. She turned away, walking briskly back to the safety of her room, her heart heavy with the weight of their words.

In Adrian's absence, Elizabeth also found herself at the mercy of his family. The king and queen, though polite in their interactions, made it clear that they saw her as a threat to their carefully curated plans for Adrian's future.

During a dinner in the royal dining hall, the queen addressed her with a thinly veiled warning. "Elizabeth, dear, I hope you understand that our family has a reputation to uphold. We have plans for Adrian, and we wouldn't want any... distractions to get in the way."

Elizabeth nodded, feeling the sting of their disapproval. "Of course, Your Majesty. I have no intention of causing any trouble."

Despite her assurances, Elizabeth couldn't shake the feeling that she was walking on a tightrope, balancing between the life she had come to know and the uncertainty of her place within it.

The pressure mounted, and Elizabeth felt increasingly isolated. Adrian had been her anchor, and without him, she struggled to navigate the treacherous waters of palace politics. She spent her days in solitude, retreating to the library or the gardens, where she could find brief moments of peace.

One evening, as she wandered through the halls, she stumbled upon a gathering in the grand ballroom. Curiosity piqued, she peered inside, only to see Isabella and her entourage laughing and dancing, celebrating as if in defiance of Adrian's absence.

Elizabeth watched from the shadows, feeling the sting of exclusion keenly. She turned to leave, but Isabella spotted her and beckoned her forward with a smug smile.

"Elizabeth, darling, come join us!" Isabella called, her voice laced with false warmth.

Elizabeth hesitated, but the weight of expectation pressed her forward. She stepped into the room, feeling the eyes of the gathered nobles on her like a physical weight.

As she approached Isabella, the other woman looped an arm through hers, pulling her into the center of the room. "We were just discussing how dull it’s been without Adrian. I’m sure you miss him terribly."

Elizabeth forced a smile, aware of the trap she was walking into. "Of course. He's a wonderful person."

Isabella's eyes gleamed with malice. "Yes, he is. And I must say, it’s impressive how he tolerates... such diverse company."

The room erupted in laughter, the mockery echoing in Elizabeth's ears. She felt her cheeks burn with embarrassment, but she refused to let them see her falter.

As the laughter died down, Elizabeth extricated herself from Isabella's grip and made her way toward the exit, her heart pounding in her chest. She needed to escape, to find a place where she could breathe and collect her thoughts.

Outside, under the night sky, Elizabeth found solace in the cool breeze and the gentle rustle of leaves. She leaned against a stone wall, drawing in deep breaths to calm her racing heart.