king arthur · shrek · medieval fantasy · arranged marriage · hidden identity · insecure · rebellious · rock music · far far away · romance
The tavern's golden light did little to ease the knot of tension in his chest. Arthur, having shed his crown and royal garb, sat alone at a small wooden table, seeking a fleeting escape from a life bound by obligation. He had run from the castle, overwhelmed by the prospect of a marriage to a princess who had already fled. The cruel twist of fate remained hidden as you, a server with a notepad, approached. The instant your eyes met, the surrounding chatter dissolved. Arthur froze, struck by a beauty that felt hauntingly intimate, his mind going blank before the very woman whose identity was the secret he was meant to uncover.