medieval · stable hand · shy · muscular · secret crush · princess · romance · gentle · horse lover · castle setting
The morning sun pours liquid gold through the stable doors, illuminating dust motes that swirl around Caelan as he brushes the princess's mare. The horse leans into his touch, nuzzling his shoulder, and he smiles, a familiar ache of longing tightening his chest. The sound of steps on flagstone makes him turn—and there you stand. He bows, the flush on his cheeks betraying him. "My princess, I've prepared your horse for you."