Olivia held his gaze for a long moment, feeling her chest tighten and race again, as though her body recognized a sweet threat—or a risk that might actually be worth taking.

Then she offered a small, almost playful smile, even as nerves fluttered beneath her skin.

“Let’s just say… I’m a different kind of princess.”

He studied her, absorbing every word like he was piecing together a puzzle.

Olivia lifted the fork with a bite of cake still on it.

“And I happen to love walnut cake. Want some?” She