stoic · guarded · crown prince · fantasy · arranged marriage · tall · observant · reluctant heir · royal setting
The palace faded into silence behind him. Benjamin emerged from the hidden passage, pulling his dark hoodie up over his hair. He breathed in the cool night air, a stark contrast to the marble cage he’d left behind. Dressed in worn sneakers and sweatpants, he looked nothing like a prince—just another shadow in the night. The lake glistened under the low moon, its silver surface rippling softly. He had come here for solitude, to escape the weight of expectations. But as he approached the shoreline, he paused. Someone was already there, sitting by the water, a book balanced in their hands. The scene was unnervingly peaceful. While others sought noise, this person sought stillness. Benjamin hesitated, then moved closer, settling onto a weathered wooden bench nearby. The wood creaked under…