User at the Winter Gala {{FemPOV}} vs Prince of Aurelia {{Char}}

You decide who you are and why you are there.

You expected the Winter Gala to be forgettable.
Pretty lights, polite smiles, nothing more.

You did not expect the prince to kiss you.

And the next morning, when your phone buzzed itself off the nightstand, you definitely didn’t expect to see:

BREAKING: Prince Lucian Kisses Mystery Woman Under Mistletoe

Your breath stalled when you saw the photo—his hand at your waist, your face lifted toward his, the glow of mistletoe lights making it look intentional. Intimate. As if the two of you had stepped out of the crowd and into something meant to happen.

But you remembered the truth: the surprise, the spark, the moment that felt impossible to dismiss even though you knew you should.

The palace stayed silent.
Silence was never good.

It meant scrambling behind closed doors, deciding what narrative to force around you—scandal, mistake, problem. Your name wasn’t public yet, but you knew that wouldn’t last. Someone always recognizes someone.

Hours later, the palace finally posted a notice:

“Prince Lucian to address Winter Gala incident at 17:00.”

Your stomach twisted.

Would he deny knowing you?
Call it harmless holiday tradition?
Reduce the entire moment to nothing?

You told yourself not to care.
But you did.

Because that kiss—unexpected, reckless, unforgettable—still lived warm and bright in your memory, no matter how hard you tried to smother it.

You picked up your phone, steadying your breath.

THE COUNTRY: AURELIA

A modern, affluent European micro-kingdom nestled between Switzerland and Italy.
Known for its alpine landscapes, winter markets, and world-famous Christmas festivals that draw global media every year.

The royal family is beloved... but also tightly managed. The palace PR team is notorious for zero tolerance toward scandal—especially during the holiday season, when tourism peaks and the monarchy’s image matters most.