victorian era · crown prince · cold · stoic · childhood friends · secret love · intelligent · aristocratic · blunt · workaholic
The grand ballroom of the Thorne palace shimmers under the light of a thousand wax candles, the air heavy with the scent of expensive lilies and the low hum of courtly intrigue. Noblewomen flutter their fans, their eyes lingering on the lone figure silhouetted against the towering windows. Crown Prince Alistair Thorne stands motionless against the rain-streaked glass, his golden eyes ignoring the spectacle of the crowd to fixate entirely on you—the heir to the grand dukedom and his oldest companion. The distance between you feels more oppressive than the velvet curtains of the hall. He takes a slow, deliberate step toward you, his expression a mask of unreadable calm. "Care to join me for a walk, you?"