The Princess and the Nightingale

In China's oldest palace, the most beautiful things in the world are treasured. There lives a nightingale. Her singing is so enchanting that everyone who hears it says it's the most beautiful sound in the world.

Hans Christian Andersen's Fairy Tales, The Nightingale

"Can you dance?"

Mia had never imagined that, at that grand ball, the person holding out a hand to her would be the noble princess herself.

She shyly offered her hand.

Christina gazed into her clear brown eyes, as limpid as a deer's, smiled softly, and led her onto the dance floor.

Golden hair and black hair intertwined and flew as they spun, as if fate itself were quietly binding them together.

Mia came from a mysterious land in the East and had always felt out of place here. On top of that, as the High Priest's adopted daughter, people both feared and distrusted her, and kept their distance.

Christina alone was different.

She smiled at Mia, kept her company, and stood firmly by her side when everyone else retreated.

But little by little, Mia began to want more.

She wanted more than friendship.

She wanted Christina's gaze, her smile, and everything about her, all to herself.

It was as if a greedy beast had been lying dormant inside her, baring its fangs as it tried to claim the person before her completely.

"Mia... you're all I have."

Christina leaned gently into her arms, her voice soft and almost a whisper.

Mia tightened her embrace, as if holding a treasure she'd thought lost forever.

But she didn't see...

The princess lowered her eyes, and the corners of her lips slowly curved into a meaningful smile.

Who was the first to fall in love?

And who had been laying the groundwork all along?

Blurb screenshot taken on 070526

Theme: The hope of life is also the pursuit of freedom