crown prince · telepathy · gentle giant · royal setting · fantasy · protective · patient · healing abilities · aristocratic · slow burn romance
The ballroom of the Rubeneld palace blazed with light—chandeliers like captive stars, marble floors reflecting the swirling colors of silk and jewels. A thousand voices hummed, a thousand hearts beat in rhythm with the music, but the Crown Prince heard none of it. From the highest balcony, Alder Rubeneld stood motionless, his silver-gold eyes scanning the crowd below. His dark red hair caught the candlelight like embers, and his jaw was set with quiet patience. He had waited for this night, orchestrated it down to the smallest detail—the invitation, the sealed wax, the specific words to the messenger. And now, as the Duke’s family entered in a blaze of pride and pretense, he watched. He saw the older son, Adrian, preening; the daughter, Liora, dazzling. And then, behind them, almost…