SAVE THE PRINCE

The night Prince Adrian was poisoned was the same night he was supposed to announce his engagement. Across the ancient capital, lanterns burned like little stars. The royal palace glittered beneath the moon, its golden roofs shining against the dark sky. Musicians played beneath the marble arches while nobles filled the great hall, laughing, drinking, and waiting eagerly for the Crown Prince to appear. But behind the palace walls, a young woman was running for her life. Lena Vale lifted the hem of her dress as she hurried through the servants’ corridor. “Faster!” The royal physician’s voice echoed behind her. “I am going as fast as I can!” “Then go faster!” Lena had been summoned to the palace less than an hour ago. She had no idea why. She was only the daughter of a village healer. She had never treated royalty, never attended a royal banquet, and certainly never expected to be dragged into the palace on the night of its grandest celebration. But something terrible had happened. The Crown Prince had collapsed. And now everyone was whispering the same word. Poison. Lena’s heart pounded as the physician pushed open a heavy wooden door. “He’s inside.” She stopped. Beyond the door was the Crown Prince’s private chamber. Two royal guards stood outside, their expressions grim. “Remember,” the physician whispered, “if anyone asks, you were summoned because the prince’s condition requires another healer.” Lena frowned. “Why would I need to lie?” The old physician looked at her. “Because the person who poisoned him may still be inside this palace.” Her blood ran cold. Before she could respond, the door opened. Lena stepped inside. And saw him. Prince Adrian. He lay upon a magnificent bed beneath a canopy of dark blue silk. His black hair was spread across the pillow, and his normally proud face was unusually pale. He looked nothing like the confident prince she had heard stories about. For a moment, Lena simply stared. He was beautiful. Far too beautiful for a man who looked as though death had already claimed half of him. She quickly pushed the thought away. This was a patient. Not a handsome stranger. Not a prince. A patient. “Move,” she said. The physician blinked. “What?” “Move.” Lena dropped beside the bed and took Adrian’s wrist. His pulse was dangerously weak. “How long has he been unconscious?” “Almost twenty minutes.” “What did he drink?” “Wine.” “Did anyone else drink from the same bottle?” “No.” Lena’s eyes narrowed. “Then someone wanted him specifically.” The room became silent. She examined Adrian’s lips and noticed a faint dark discoloration. “Bring me warm water, crushed willow bark, and every herb you have for poisoning.” The physician hurried away. Lena leaned closer to the prince. “Your Highness?” No response. She touched his cheek. It was cold. “Don’t you dare die.” Still nothing. Lena prepared the antidote with shaking hands. She had seen poisoned villagers before. She knew the signs. But never had she been this frightened. Not because he was the Crown Prince. Because there was something strangely sad about seeing someone so young lying helplessly beneath a crown that suddenly seemed meaningless. She lifted his head carefully. “Drink this.” His lips barely moved. “Please…” Nothing. Lena’s voice softened. “Come on. I didn’t come all the way here just to watch you die.” She touched the cup to his lips. Suddenly, his hand shot upward. He grabbed her wrist. Lena gasped. His eyes opened. Dark. Sharp. Dangerously alert. “What are you doing?” His voice was weak, but the authority in it was unmistakable. “Saving your life.” His eyes narrowed. “Who sent you?” “No one.” “Liar.” Lena stared at him. “You are poisoned, half-dead, and still arrogant.” His brows drew together. “How dare you?” “I dare because I’m trying to keep you alive.” For the first time, Adrian looked genuinely surprised. Perhaps no one had ever spoken to him that way. His grip loosened. Lena pulled her hand free. “Drink.” He studied her. “What’s your name?” “Lena.” “Lena…” He repeated it slowly. Something about the way he said her name made her heart stumble. She hated that. “Drink the medicine, Your Highness.” “Will it kill me?” “If I wanted you dead, I wouldn’t be wasting my time arguing with you.” A faint smile appeared on his lips. “You are bold.” “And you’re stubborn.” “I am a prince.” “And I am your healer.” Their eyes met. For a strange moment, the danger surrounding them seemed to disappear. There was only the two of them. A prince without his crown. A healer who had forgotten to be afraid. Then Adrian whispered, “Stay.” Lena blinked. “What?” “Stay with me.” His voice had changed. The arrogance was gone. He sounded almost… vulnerable. Lena’s heart softened. “I will.” She didn’t know why she said it. She simply knew she couldn’t walk away. Adrian closed his eyes. His fingers found hers. And before Lena could pull away, his hand tightened around hers. “Don’t leave.” She looked down at their joined hands. “Sleep, Your Highness.” “I’m not asking as your prince.” His eyes opened again. “I’m asking as a man.” Lena’s breath caught. Before she could answer, a violent crash came from outside. The chamber doors burst open. Three masked men stormed inside. Lena screamed. Adrian immediately pulled her behind him. “Stay down.” “You can barely stand!” “I said stay down!” One assassin rushed forward. Adrian reached for the sword beside his bed. Their blades collided. The prince staggered. The poison had weakened him. But he fought anyway. Lena watched in horror as another assassin circled behind him. “Adrian!” The prince turned. Too late. The assassin’s sword swung toward him. Lena grabbed the nearest object—a heavy bronze candlestick—and struck the man’s arm. He cried out. Adrian seized the opportunity. His sword flashed. The assassin fell. But another attacker came toward Lena. She stepped backward. “Stay away!” The man raised his sword. Adrian moved between them. The blade struck his shoulder. “Adrian!” Blood spread across his royal robe. He fell against Lena. She caught him. “You’re bleeding!” His head rested against her shoulder. “Not badly.” “You’re poisoned!” “I’ve survived worse.” “You’re an idiot.” A weak laugh escaped him. “And yet you’re still holding me.” Lena froze. She realized she was. His arm was around her waist. Her hands were pressed against his chest. They were so close she could feel his heartbeat beneath her fingers. For one dangerous second, neither moved. Adrian looked into her eyes. “Lena.” “Yes?” “If I die tonight…” “Don’t say that.” “Listen.” His fingers touched her cheek. “You must leave this palace.” Her heart tightened. “Why?” “Because whoever wants me dead will come for you next.” “I don’t understand.” “You saved my life.” His thumb brushed gently across her cheek. “That makes you dangerous to them.” Lena swallowed. “And what about you?” A sad smile touched his lips. “I’m already dangerous to everyone.” Suddenly, footsteps thundered through the corridor. The guards were coming. Adrian’s expression changed. He pulled Lena closer and whispered against her ear. “From this moment on, trust no one.” “Not even you?” He looked at her. “Especially me.” Then he collapsed in her arms. Lena cried out. “Adrian!” The doors opened. Royal guards flooded the chamber. And behind them stood the queen. Her face was pale. Her eyes went immediately to Lena holding the unconscious prince. Then to the blood on his shoulder. The queen’s expression hardened. “Who is that woman?” Lena slowly stood. Before she could answer, the queen pointed at her. “Arrest her.” Lena’s heart stopped. “What?” The guards seized her arms. “No! I didn’t hurt him!” The queen’s voice was cold. “Then explain why the Crown Prince’s blood is on your hands.” Lena looked toward the bed. Adrian lay motionless. But just before the guards dragged her away, his eyes opened. Only for a moment. His gaze found hers. And Lena heard him whisper one word. “Run.” Her heart shattered. Because she suddenly understood. Saving the prince had been the easiest part. Keeping him alive might cost her everything. And somewhere inside the royal palace, the real enemy was already waiting for them.