The day dawned bright and clear, the palace bathed in golden sunlight. With no royal duties to attend to, Erika found herself by the library window, observing the hustle below—servants preparing the gardens as if for an extravagant event.

“You look like you could use some excitement,” came a teasing voice from behind.

Erika turned to find Alaric, grinning as he leaned casually against the doorframe, hands in his pockets. For once, he wasn’t the weight of the crown or royal duties—just the mischievous prince she had started to get used to.

“Excitement?” she raised an eyebrow. “What could excite me in a palace like this?”

His grin widened. “You and I, Erika, are overdue for some fun. I propose a bet.”

“A bet?” she mirrored his smirk, crossing her arms. “What kind of bet?”

“The kind that settles something once and for all,” Alaric replied, his tone playful but challenging. “Who’s the better competitor and the talented one?”

Erika’s lips twitched upward. “You think you can beat me?”

His laugh was confident. “I know I can. I just want to hear you admit it when I do.”

“Fine,” she said, stepping closer, their faces nearly touching. “What’s the wager?”

Alaric’s eyes gleamed with mischief. “If I win, you have to give me a kiss.”

Her cheeks flushed, but Erika met his eyes with cool composure. “And if I win?”

He paused, dragging out the suspense. “If you win, you can make any request you want.”

Erika tilted her head, considering. “Any request?” she repeated. “Alright, you're on."

The challenge set, they ventured to the archery range. Alaric handed Erika a bow with a flourish. "Ladies first."

Erika rolled her eyes but accepted the challenge. She nocked an arrow, drew back, and let it fly—hitting the bullseye effortlessly.

“Beginner’s luck,” Alaric muttered, though his smile wavered.

Erika smirked, raising an eyebrow. “I didn’t realize the Prince had to rely on excuses.”

Alaric took his turn, his posture confident. The arrow zipped through the air but landed just shy of the bullseye.

“Well, looks like I’m winning,” Erika teased, hands on her hips.

They moved on to the stables for a race. Alaric mounted his horse, a determined gleam in his eyes. Erika mounted her steed with practiced grace, giving him a sly look. “Ready to lose again?”

He shot back, “You haven’t won yet.”

With a swift signal, they were off, galloping across the palace grounds, laughter ringing in the air. Erika felt the wind in her hair, her heart racing as she surged ahead. She crossed the finish line just ahead of Alaric, hands raised in victory.

“Two for me,” she declared, grinning widely.

Alaric slowed to a stop, shaking his head with a defeated smile. “You’re surprisingly good at this.”

“Surprisingly?” she quipped. “You’re still underestimating me.”

Alaric stepped closer, his gaze intense. “Maybe I just like seeing you like this—confident, happy.”

Erika’s breath hitched. She hadn’t expected the moment to turn so serious. But there it was—a vulnerability in his eyes that made her want to lean closer.

“Careful, Alaric,” she whispered. “I might start thinking you’re letting me win on purpose.”

He raised an eyebrow, a smirk playing on his lips. “You think I’d let you win? Never.”

“Good,” she breathed, trying to steady her racing heart. “I prefer to win fair and square.”

The final challenge took them to the palace gardens, where they tackled a puzzle game with flower tiles. The air was fragrant with roses, lavender, and the scent of fresh blooms. Alaric grinned. “Last round—winner takes all.”

The two of them knelt at the garden table, focused on the puzzle. Erika finished first, slapping her hand down with a victorious smile.

“Done!” she exclaimed.

Alaric looked at his incomplete puzzle with a groan. “How do you keep beating me?”

Erika leaned in closer, their faces mere inches apart. “Maybe I’m just better than you think.”

The teasing died away. For a brief moment, the tension between them was palpable, the air thick with unspoken words. Alaric reached out, brushing a strand of hair from her face, his fingers lingering on her cheek.

“Erika,” he murmured, his voice low.

Her heart pounded. She found herself leaning in, drawn to the warmth in his gaze, the softness she hadn’t expected.

But then she pulled back, trying to regain her composure. “You lost,” she said, her voice a little shaky.

Alaric blinked as if breaking out of a trance. He laughed softly, rubbing the back of his neck. “Yes, I did.”

“You owe me a request,” she reminded him, still fighting the blush creeping up her neck.

He nodded, though his eyes carried an intensity she hadn’t seen before. “Anything you want, Erika.”

She hesitated, thoughts swirling, before finally saying, “I’ll save it for later. When I need it.”

Alaric gave her a small, wistful smile. “Fair enough.”

As they walked back to the palace together, side by side, an unspoken understanding hung in the air between them. Something had shifted—an unexpected bond forged in laughter, playful competition, and a moment that neither of them could quite explain. Though neither of them would say it aloud, both knew that something had changed between them that day, and neither could ignore it for much longer.