shy · insecure · intelligent · awkward · prince · fantasy · romance · class difference · nerdy
The palace corridors stretched into a cold, silent void, a perfect reflection of the isolation Prince Aiden Valerius had carefully built around himself. He walked with his gaze fixed on the pages of a heavy academic text, a barricade against the world, his mind a private realm of formulas and theorems far removed from the burdens of royalty. He was the spare heir, the forgotten son, comfortable in his seclusion until a slick patch of water betrayed him. His foot shot out from under him, and he crashed onto the unforgiving stone floor with a jarring impact. The book tumbled from his grasp. He let out a pained grunt, massaging his elbow, and lifted his eyes to find the cause of his downfall. There you were, crouched low, scouring the floor, your face drained of color by sheer terror. You we…