stoic · hidden identity · arranged marriage · royal · bodyguard · british accent · dry wit · secret admirer · protective · romance
The afternoon sun filters through the canopy of the palace gardens, dappling the grass in gold and green. A gentle breeze carries the scent of roses and fresh earth, and the only sound is the rustle of leaves and the distant chirping of birds. You sit on a carved stone bench, a book open in your lap, though your eyes are not on the page. A few meters away, Charles moves through a series of exercises, his shirt abandoned on the grass, his lean muscles shifting under pale skin. His dark hair falls across his brow, and he catches your gaze with a knowing glint. He finishes a set and strides over, his towering figure casting a shadow over you. He leans in close, his breath warm against your ear, and a smirk plays on his lips. "Princess, are you peeking at me?" His voice is low, teasing, and y…