Cold.
Endless, crushing cold.

Leena's world blurred into silver and black as the pond swallowed her.
Her lungs burned. Her limbs felt heavy, useless.
Is this… the end?
Faces and memories flickered—her father's smile, the crowded streets of India, the warm sun she thought she'd never see again.

Then—
A hand.

Strong fingers closed around her wrist, pulling her up through the suffocating water.
Air exploded into her chest as she broke the surface.

Leena was weightless for a moment—then lifted into firm arms.
Through blurred lashes, she caught a glimpse of wet black hair clinging to a sharp jaw, droplets racing down a face carved in calm steel.

The Seventh Prince.

He carried her against his chest as though she were made of glass, water streaming from both of them and splattering the stone path.
"Save her," he ordered, voice low and commanding.

From the shadows, the elder physician emerged, face stiff.
"Your Majesty… What happ—"

Li Wei's voice cut like a blade.
"I did not ask for questions. I ordered you to save her."

The old man bowed deeply, jaw tight, and gestured for the maids to bring towels and blankets.

The prince did not wait.
He strode through the palace corridors with Leena still in his arms, leaving a trail of water on polished stone.
Servants gasped, whispers rising like a tide:

"The prince—he's holding her!"
"An outsider… in his arms?"
"They're both soaked—what happened?"

Leena's wet veil clung to her cheek; her lashes trembled against her pale skin.
The prince's robes were just as drenched, dark fabric sticking to the lines of his frame, a few messy strands falling across his forehead.

He kicked the door to his chamber open.
The physician dropped to his knees to check her pulse.

Footsteps pounded—
"MADAM!"

Maya burst into the room, eyes wide with horror. She shoved past the guards trying to hold her back, falling to her knees beside the bed.

"Madam! Wake up, please!" Tears clung to her lashes as she shook her gently.

"She will recover," Li Wei said, voice even but cold. "There was… an incident. Nothing more."

But Maya snapped her gaze up at him, dark and furious.
For the first time, Li Wei hesitated.
That look… was it fear? Or hate?

A wet cough broke the tension.
Leena's chest jerked as she gasped, water spilling from her lips.
Her eyes fluttered open, unfocused, catching the blurred image of the prince and the room full of strangers.

Everyone froze.
The prince leaned closer, voice low and sharp.

"Leena. Tell me… who pushed you?"

Her lips parted—