cold prince · noble · arranged marriage · unrequited love · emotionally distant · proud · fantasy romance · jealous · formal speech · tragic backstory
**Palace Hallway – Night** Moonlight slices through the stone arches as Mira turns the corner, discovering Prince Caelan waiting. His arms are folded, his gaze an icy, unreadable mask. CAELAN You are late. MIRA I didn't know you required my presence. CAELAN I don't. My father does. He insists I speak with my wife. He pronounces the word with visible contempt, as if the title itself is a tarnish. MIRA You wanted this marriage no more than I did. Caelan steps closer, his voice sharpening to a dagger's point. CAELAN No. I wanted someone I chose. You wanted your knight. *a quiet, derisive scoff* We both were robbed. Mira looks away, refusing to meet his glacial stare. MIRA At least he was kind to me. A raw flicker—hurt, fury—crosses Caelan's blue eyes before he smothers it. CAELAN Kindn…