As she matured, the princess remained an outcast, alienating those around her with her behavior. Her solitary existence made it difficult for her to form friendships or establish connections with others. Those who tried to approach her were frequently met with her biting remarks and aloof demeanor.

The moniker "Black Swan" became widely used among the populace, not just because of her dark hair but also due to her treatment of others. While swans traditionally symbolize beauty and grace, the princess's actions tarnished this image. Instead, she was associated with ugliness and spite, as if her mere presence had the power to corrupt everything around her.

Even within her own family, the princess was regarded with caution and kept at arm's length, as her vicious demeanor left them unsure and somewhat intimidated. No one dared to challenge her or engage in arguments, ensuring her demands were met to avoid her wrath.

However, Patrick made an exception that day. Facing her directly, he stood his ground without fear. The princess leveled a sharp glare at him, momentarily stunned by his audacity. Despite his modest attire and lack of noble standing, he dared to challenge her authority. She attempted to maintain her composure.

"Do you not recognize who I am?" she inquired, her tone laced with haughtiness.

Undeterred, Patrick advanced toward her without flinching, maintaining direct eye contact. "I am well aware of your status, Princess. However, I find it of little consequence. My sister selected that dress first, and your title does not grant you the right to claim it as your own."

The princess's expression shifted from confusion to frustration. No one had ever addressed her in such a manner.

"And who might you be?" she demanded, her voice tinged with irritation.

Patrick offered a wry smirk, his demeanor unyielding. "Why do you concern yourself with the name of a commoner?"

Infuriated, the princess erupted, "How dare you!"

Derrick swiftly intervened, attempting to restrain Patrick and coax him into showing deference to the princess.

"I apologize, Your Highness. He spoke out of turn," Derrick interjected, his voice tinged with urgency.

Patrick, however, remained resolute, refusing to acquiesce to Derrick's attempts to silence him.

"I stand by my words," Patrick declared firmly. Turning his attention to his sister, he issued a command, "Patricia, remove that dress and surrender it to her. Some individuals require elegant attire to conceal their inner flaws..."

The princess recoiled at the cutting remark, her pride wounded despite her outward beauty. The audacity of this commoner to denounce her struck a nerve.

"Guards!" she bellowed in outrage, her voice echoing through the boutique. "Seize this man!"

Derrick stepped back, grappling with a mixture of frustration and concern.

"That fool! How could he act so recklessly, especially knowing she's the princess? This situation has escalated beyond my control. I'll wait until she's calmed down before intervening. Let's just hope he doesn't do anything foolish like using his magic."

As the guards swarmed into the boutique and apprehended Patrick, Derrick retreated, assessing the unfolding chaos with a furrowed brow.

Meanwhile, Patricia, alarmed by the sudden commotion and her brother's capture, "What's happening? Why are they taking Patrick? He was only talking!" she implored, her voice trembling with anxiety. With a heavy heart, she relinquished the dress to the enraged princess, pleading for her brother's release, "Take it, I don't want it... Please, let my brother go!" she implored, her voice trembling with fear and desperation.

The princess, infuriated by twin's resilience, attempted to shove Patricia aside, only to find herself unable to overpower her unexpected strength which escalate her frustration, "TAKE THAT MAN TO PRISON. I MUST PUNISH HIM FOR INSULTING THE PRINCESS," she commanded before storming out of the shop in a fit of rage.

Determined to follow and reason with the princess, Patricia moved to leave, but Derrick intervened, his voice firm with caution, "Don't! You'll only make things worse," he warned, gently restraining her.

"But they're taking Patrick!" Patricia protested, her worry evident in her voice.

"Don't worry, I'll speak to her. I promise to ensure Patrick's swift release," Derrick assured her.

As Patricia returned home, her mind swirled with worry and uncertainty. She grappled with the weight of the situation, unsure of how to convey the events to her family. Her foremost concern remained her brother's safety, and she could only hope that Derrick would succeed in resolving the predicament.

Meanwhile, within the confines of the palace's prison, Patrick grappled with remorse over his actions. Though he harbored no fear of the princess, his heart weighed heavy with regret for tarnishing his sister's special day. Despite his stoic demeanor, his mind buzzed with the consequences of his impulsive behavior.

Turning his gaze to the guards with an unwavering stare, he posed a question laden with uncertainty, "How long will I be held here?"

"Until the princess issues her orders..."

As the hours passed, tension mounted within the prison walls until the arrival of the princess herself, her presence heralded by the ominous echo of her footsteps. Gripped tightly in her hand was a whip, a potent symbol of her authority and a tool of punishment she wielded with unyielding determination.

Expecting to encounter a trembling soul, cowed by fear and begging for mercy, the princess was instead met with a sight that caught her off guard. Patrick stood before her, unflinching and resolute, his gaze unwavering even in the face of impending punishment.

In his role as a wizard, Patrick had cultivated a sense of confidence that bordered on audacity, a trait that often landed him in precarious situations but also imbued him with an undeniable strength of character.

The princess, taken aback by his unwavering demeanor, felt a flicker of unease beneath her veneer of authority.

"WHO ARE YOU?" she demanded, her voice laced with frustration.

"A lowly peasant," Patrick replied, his tone devoid of deference.

In a bid to assert her dominance, the princess lashed out with her whip, aiming to instill fear and subdue him. Yet, to her astonishment, Patrick remained unmoved, his stoic expression unaltered even in the face of pain and adversity. His resilience unsettled her, stirring a sense of disquiet within her own heart.

With blood trickling down his skin, Patrick's lips curled into a defiant smile. "Is this everything you can do?"