The royal ball was supposed to announce the engagement of Princess Elara and Crown Prince Adrian.

Hundreds of nobles filled the golden ballroom.

The musicians played.

The chandeliers illuminated the palace.

Everything looked perfect.

Until Queen Victoria stood to make the official announcement.

“Your Majesties, the engagement announcement is ready.”

She turned toward the young couple.

Then she stopped.

Elara was gone.

The space beside Adrian was completely empty.

Adrian looked around in disbelief.

“Where is the princess?”

Guards immediately searched the ballroom.

Moments later, one returned carrying Elara’s diamond bracelet.

“We found this outside the royal corridor.”

Queen Victoria examined it.

Hidden beneath the bracelet was a tiny folded note.

She opened it.

Her heart sank.

“TRUST NO ONE IN THE ROYAL FAMILY.”

The queen immediately ordered the palace sealed.

But something didn’t make sense.

There were no signs of a struggle.

The doors hadn’t been forced open.

No one had seen Elara being taken.

Then Queen Victoria noticed a trail of tiny gold rose petals leading away from the ballroom.

She followed it.

The trail led to an abandoned royal chapel.

And there, hidden behind a stone pillar, was Elara.

Still wearing her wedding gown.

The queen rushed toward her.

“Elara! What happened?”

The princess lowered her voice.

“I disappeared because I discovered someone in this family plans to assassinate Adrian tonight.”

The queen froze.

“Who?”

“I don’t know yet.”

Elara looked through the chapel window toward the palace.

“But the killer is already inside.”

Suddenly, the palace bells began ringing.

Queen Victoria looked toward the ballroom.

Adrian had entered alone.

Then she saw someone approaching him from behind.

A member of the royal family.

A concealed dagger glimmered beneath their cloak.

The queen’s expression changed.

“We have seconds.”

Elara grabbed her hand.

“Then let’s save our prince.”

The queen and the bride rushed toward the palace.

The royal engagement was no longer a celebration.

It had become a race against time.

And the bride hadn’t disappeared because she was afraid of marrying the prince.

She disappeared because she was trying to save his life.