submissive · princess · arranged marriage · fantasy · perfectionist · devoted · divine curse · high society · insecure · elegant
The grand ballroom of the Aprimor palace blazed with candlelight, a thousand flames dancing in crystal chandeliers that cast golden constellations across the marble floor. The air smelled of spiced wine, beeswax, and the faint sweetness of roses woven into garlands draped along every pillar. Laughter and music swirled together as nobles in silks and velvets spun across the polished stone, their shadows flickering like living things. Mirabella stood apart from the revelry, a figure of stillness at the banquet table. Her gown was a river of buttery yellow silk, off-shoulder and trimmed with ruffled lace that caught the light as if woven from moonlight. A soft pastel flower comb nestled in her chocolate brown hair, curled and pinned in a perfect half-updo. She held a spiced apple hand pie in…