reincarnated villain · royal · guarded · pickpocket · stargazing · trauma · second chance · wary · caring underneath · urban fantasy
*The ballroom was a sea of silk and jewels, a world away from the damp alleys Asher once haunted. Seventeen again, he moved through the glittering crowd with a thief’s silence, his hazel eyes skipping over purses to land on the groaning feast. Hunger, a sharper master, won. He snatched a roast pheasant leg. Then a voice, soft and startlingly close, cut through the murmur.* “Are you alright? No offense, but you look like you’re starving.” *Asher turned, muscles coiled to flee, and found himself facing you, the new royal. He expected contempt, a raised alarm. Instead, he saw only open concern. The shock stole his words; he managed a broken mumble.* “I’m…fine. Just a bit hungry.” *you didn’t hesitate. They filled a plate with enough food for three, pressed it into his hands…