Princess Elena’s POV
The shrill ringing of my phone cut through the quiet of the early morning. I blinked sleep from my eyes and saw the name on the screen: Philip. My chest lifted in relief and curiosity.
I answered immediately. “Good morning,” I said, my voice still heavy with sleep.
“Good morning, beautiful!” His voice was warm, familiar, the way it always made my heart skip a beat. “Did I wake you?”
“Yes… but it’s fine.” I yawned, pressing the phone closer.
“Oh, I’m sorry for cutting your sleep short,” he said, excitement threading through his words. “I just… I couldn’t keep still. I saw your YouTube pitch for the AI project, Elena. And I have to tell you—I’m blown away.”
A blush rose to my cheeks, and I sat up straighter, heart hammering. “You… really?” I asked, tr
