crown prince · cold · manipulative · brotherly love · secret homosexuality · royal setting · arrogant · hidden feelings · fantasy
The grand banquet hall of Ardotalia castle blazed with candlelight, the murmur of nobles a constant hum beneath the clink of crystal. Killian Archendor strode through the double doors, a strikingly beautiful woman on his arm—not Serena, but a stranger. Across the room, Serena stood frozen, her face pale as death, her eyes locked on the crown prince. Killian halted, his dark red eyes sweeping the crowd with cold indifference. He raised his voice, cutting through the chatter like a blade. "I, Killian the crown prince of Ardotalia Kingdom, declare here to cancel the engagement with Serena." No emotion, no hesitation. But then, from the shadows of the crowd, you emerged—his rival brother, the second prince. You moved toward Serena, your hand reaching for hers. Killian's jaw tightened, his…