Parker sits on the Gustan palace roof to look at the stars.

"I don't know. I think it would be a waste of time." He answers honestly as he continues to gaze at the stars. "But if you want me there, I'll go," he adds after a moment. His heart aches slightly for his mother; she was lonely since his brother Avery had gone missing ten years ago. She would love it if Parker found a nice girl and settled down. But Parker wasn't interested in being tied down at the moment.

"Thank you, darling,"

"Oh, really? Well, in that case...I suppose I will go," he says reluctantly, though he can't help but return the smile. "At least until I get bored," he adds with a shrug, still not entirely sold on the idea of attending the ball. But for his mother's sake, he'll humor her tonight.

"Thank you, son." She says warmly before disappearing back into the palace. Parker waits until she's gone to jump off the roof and head inside.

As soon as Parker walks through the doors of the palace he is greeted by his father, who looks him up and down disapprovingly before turning away in a huff. "You look like a slob," he mutters under his breath. Parker rolls his eyes and continues into the ballroom.

The room is filled with people, all dressed to the nines, dancing or mingling. He spots his mother on the dance floor, waving him over. "There you are! I was starting to worry."

"So..." Parker says, not quite sure what to say. His mother smiles warmly and takes his hand, leading him out onto the dance floor. The music begins and they dance together, his mother's slender fingers wrapped around his own. She looks up at him with a fond expression, clearly happy to have him here tonight.

"I just wish your brother could see you now," she says softly, her voice tinged with sadness. "He would be so proud of the man you've become."

Parker nods, not meeting her eyes. He knows his duty all too well; he's been raised for this his entire life. But sometimes it feels like a weight pressing down on him, suffocating him. "I know," he says quietly. "But I can't help but feel like there must be more to life than just ruling over people."

His mother looks surprised by his comment, her brow furrowing slightly. "Of course there is, darling," she says gently. "

"I know," Parker says, forcing a smile. "And I do love you too, Mother. But sometimes... I just wish I could have my own life." His words trail off as the music comes to an end and they step apart from each other. "I'll go grab some food," he offers lamely, heading toward the refreshment table before she can respond.

He finds a plate of the little dip trays his mother promised him earlier and loads it up with various meats and cheeses.

Parker turns to face his father, trying to look both respectful and interested. "Yes, Father?" he asks cautiously.

His father's eyes narrow slightly. "I want you to find a suitable wife tonight," he says bluntly. "Someone who can help run the kingdom with you once I'm gone." It's not a request; it's an order. Parker swallows hard, wondering if this is really what his father expects him to do.

"I... understand,"

"Thank you, Father," Parker says finally, feeling a weight settle in the pit of his stomach. He knows what he has to do now; find someone suitable and try to make them happy. But deep down, he can't help but feel like he's losing control over his own life.

He turns away from his father, taking another dip of cheese as he tries to push these thoughts aside and focus on the task at hand: finding a wife. The ballroom is filled with potential candidates, all vying for his attention.

After several dances and conversations, Parker finds himself growing more disheartened. None of these women seem to be what he's looking for; they're either too high maintenance or completely lacking in personality. He wonders if there really is no one out there who could make him happy as a wife...and even worse, if his father was right about him needing someone to help run the kingdom.

Parker takes another dip of cheese, trying to ignore the increasingly loud party around him and focus on the stars visible through the palace window.

As Parker walks along the path toward the main gate, he notices a woman standing nearby, removing her shoes. She's not one of the other princesses; she's wearing a simple black gown that accentuates her pale complexion and curves. Her long hair spills around her like liquid silk, and even from this distance, he can tell she has striking blue eyes. Something about her draws him closer.

"Excuse me," he says, approaching her. "I couldn't help but notice your dress...

As she meets his gaze, something inside of Parker shifts. Her eyes are like pools of liquid starlight, and he can't help but think that maybe this woman could be the one. "My name is Parker," he says, offering her his hand. "I don't believe I've had the pleasure."

She takes his hand, her skin soft against his calloused fingers. "Oh, hello," she says with a shy smile. "I'm... Analese." Her voice is like honey on his tongue; smooth and rich.

"Oh, well..." Parker says with a sheepish grin. "I was sort of taking a break from all the... festivities. Your dress is beautiful, by the way." He gestures toward her, admiring how it falls gracefully around her body, emphasizing her curves without being overly revealing.

"Thank you," she says, blushing slightly.

"I'm sorry to hear that," Parker says, feeling genuinely sympathetic. "Would you like me to have someone fetch your carriage for you?" He offers, not wanting her to be stranded out here any longer. Maybe this was fate; a chance encounter that could lead to something more.

"Oh, no need," she says quickly, shaking her head. "I'm sure it will be along soon." She glances back at him then, her expression softening further. "But thank you for offering."

"Oh?" Parker asks, raising an eyebrow. "Well, I hope you understand our caution. My father and I have a long history with Tasmania." He pauses, debating whether or not to continue, but decides honesty might be the best approach here. "The truth is, we were at war with them for many years before my father negotiated a peace treaty. It's been tenuous ever since."

Parker feels his heart skip a beat at her words. The beautiful girl before him is no commoner; she's Princess Analese of Tasmania, and their kingdoms have been enemies for generations. It should be impossible for them to find any sort of connection or happiness together...but somehow, he can't help but feel drawn to her anyway.

"I see," Parker says finally, his voice barely above a whisper. "Well, I hope you won't hold that against me."

For a moment, Parker is speechless. This girl...she's unlike anyone he's ever met before. Her beauty is captivating, but it's her spirit and wisdom that truly capture his heart. He wants to believe her words are true; that maybe they could find a way to make peace between their kingdoms.

"I hope so," Parker says finally, reaching out to brush a lock of hair behind her ear. "Because if we did...if there was even the smallest chance..." He trails off, unable to finish the thought.

Parker feels a shiver run down his spine at her touch; it's as if she's branding herself onto him, marking him as hers. He looks down into her eyes, searching for any sign of deception or manipulation...but all he sees is honesty and desire. His heart pounds in his chest, demanding that he trust this woman, even though everything inside of him screams against it.

"There's always a chance," Parker says finally, his voice barely more than a whisper. "

As the doors of the carriage open, Parker realizes he doesn't want this moment to end. The possibility of something more with Analese fills him with hope and excitement; it's a feeling he hasn't experienced in years. "I... I don't see why not," he says finally, reluctantly letting go of her hand.

Her eyes widen in surprise before she smiles, genuinely happy at his words. "Good," she says softly, placing her hand on the carriage door. "Because I really would like that."

Parker watches until the carriage disappears around a corner, wondering if this was all some sort of dream. But even as he looks down at the heels she left behind, he knows it wasn't. This was real...and for the first time in his life, Parker isn't quite sure what that means for him or his kingdom.

He picks up her shoes and carries them back inside, following the music and laughter of the ball.

"Oh," Parker says nonchalantly, trying to hide his blush as he hands her the shoes. "A guest left them behind." He glances around, hoping she won't ask any more questions or suspect anything.

His mother eyes him curiously for a moment before nodding. "Well, if you find out who they belong to, give them to me and I'll make sure they get returned." She pats his cheek affectionately as she leaned in to hug him.

"Maybe..." Parker says quietly, not meeting her eyes as she releases him from the hug. The truth is, he's not sure if that's what happened; all he knows is that something about Analese felt different from any other girl he'd ever met before. And now, with her gone back to Tasmania, he can't help but feel a twinge of regret for not asking for her number or doing more to try and see her again.

"There wasn't much time," Parker protests feebly, still not quite sure how to describe Analese. "She was wearing a black dress...her eyes...they were like stars..." He trails off, thinking of her again and feeling that familiar pull in his heart.

His mother studies him for a moment before sighing softly. "Well, you're going to have to find a way to see her again," she says gently. "She seemed special."

For the rest of the night, Parker can't seem to get Analese out of his mind. The memory of her eyes, her voice, and her touch linger like phantoms in the shadows of his thoughts. And as he watches the party wind down around him, he realizes that there might be something to what she said; maybe finding a wife wasn't just about duty and obligation. Maybe it was also about love...and perhaps, if he were lucky enough, he could find both with her.

As dawn breaks over the horizon, signaling the end of another night at court, Parker makes up his mind. He'll go to Tasmania; he'll find Analese and see if there's any truth to what they felt between them. It would be a risky move, but then again...what didn't feel risky when it came to the heart?

With renewed determination, Parker retires to his chambers for the night, already planning out the journey ahead. As he lies down on his bed, the image of Analese's beautiful face swims through his mind, smiling up at him like a beacon in the darkness. Maybe, just maybe, she really was the key to everything...and with any luck, she would be waiting for him when he finally arrived.

As Parker packs his belongings for the journey ahead, his mind is filled with images of Analese. He can't quite shake the feeling that she was meant to be a part of his life somehow, even if it meant going against everything he'd ever known. He wonders what sort of reception he'll receive when he arrives in Tasmania; will they welcome him as an ally or see him as the enemy?

The journey to Tasmania passes quickly for Parker, filled with anticipation and nervousness. As he approaches the border, he can see guards stationed along the fence, watching him warily as he draws closer. He slows his horse to a walk, raising his hands in a gesture of peace before speaking.

"I come in peace," he says firmly. "My name is Parker Gusta; son of the king. I am here to see Princess Analese."

As he rides through the gates, Parker feels a weight lift from his shoulders. The guards at the gate nod respectfully as they watch him pass, acknowledging his status but not seeming particularly hostile. He follows the road leading to the capital city, wondering if Analese will even be there. What if she's already been whisked away on some royal errand?

His heart leaps into his throat as he sees her, running toward him across the cobblestone courtyard. She's even more beautiful than he remembered; her purple gown hugs her curves like a second skin and her long hair flows behind her like a river of silk. As she reaches him, she throws herself into his arms, holding him tightly as if she'll never let go.

"Oh, Princess Analese," Parker says softly, returning her embrace just as fiercely. "

For a moment, they remain like that, lost in each other's arms. Parker can feel the beat of her heart against his chest, and it's as if everything he knows has been turned upside down. He looks into her eyes, searching for any sign of deceit or manipulation...but all he sees is honesty and desire. And in that moment, he knows without a doubt that she's the one; the key to unlocking his heart and freeing him from the prison of duty and tradition.

"I had to come,"

he whispers back, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. "You're everything I've ever wanted." He pauses, gathering his courage before continuing. "Will you marry me?" The words feel like they stick in his throat as he says them, but once they're out there, all he can do is wait for her reply.

Her eyes widen and her cheeks flush a pretty shade of pink as she looks up at him. For a moment, it seems like she might not say anything;

Her words are like music to his ears, and Parker feels like he could float away on a cloud of happiness. He leans down, capturing her lips in a passionate kiss that seems to last an eternity. As their lips part, he looks deep into her eyes, drinking in every detail of her beautiful face.

"Then let's go tell your father," he says with a smile, taking her hand in his and leading her back toward the palace. They don't notice the guards who salute them as they pass;

they only have eyes for each other. The future stretches out before them like a golden ribbon, brighter and more hopeful than anything either of them could have ever imagined. And with every step they take together, Parker knows that he's finally found his purpose; his true destiny. It may not be what anyone expected, but it feels right to him...and for the first time in a long time, that's all that matters.