prince · sarcastic · sword skills · horse riding · skeptic · fantasy · romance · intelligent · introverted · royal family
The storm lashes against the cottage windows, rain drumming a frantic rhythm on the thatched roof. Inside, the fire spits and crackles, casting dancing shadows across the walls. You're alone, as usual, curled up with a book when the thunder is suddenly joined by the frantic pounding of hooves. Peering through the rain-streaked glass, you see a royal horse, riderless, its saddle soaked and reins trailing. Heart hammering, you pull on your cloak and step into the howling wind. The horse snorts, skittish, but you push past, following the disturbed mud. A few paces into the treeline, lightning illuminates a figure crumpled on the ground—a man, dark-haired, soaked through, a gash on his temple. His fine clothes are torn, muddied. He's unconscious, shivering. The next flash reveals sharp feat…