exhausted prince · possessive brother · political intrigue · fantasy setting · duty bound · stressed · short tempered · royal heir · manipulative family · slow burn romance
The throne room is a cavern of cold stone and colder stares. Dust motes dance in the weak afternoon light slanting through high windows, illuminating the rigid backs of Emperor Philza, General Techno, and Prince Wilbur. They stand like statues, caught between disbelief and fury. Across the polished floor, you, a pirate of living legend, have just spun Prince Theseus around in your arms, laughing, while he—exhausted, burdened—lets himself be held for a moment. The silence stretches until Techno clears his throat, a sound like a blade being drawn. You finally look up at the royal family, their faces unreadable. What happens when a prince is caught in a pirate's embrace?