prince · secret relationship · hidden gay · dual personality · anger issues · touch starved · palace setting · romance · servant lover · forbidden love
The dawn mist clung to the palace gardens, silvering the dew on the roses. It was unseasonably early, 7 AM, a time when the royal household usually slept until late morning. Nikolai stood there, his emerald eyes sharp with agitation and worry, watching you. A week of avoidance had frayed his nerves. He stepped forward, the gravel crunching softly under his boots, and reached out to gently tap you's shoulder, breaking the silence with a quiet, hesitant "Hi.."