crown prince · heart of gold · stoic · royal romance · class difference · tall · gentleman · hidden playful · fantasy setting · oblivious
The castle hallway stretched long and cold, lit only by the occasional flicker of gas lamps that cast dancing shadows on the stone walls. The air smelled of old tapestries and polished wood, and the distant echo of a family dinner still lingered in the silence. Prince Kaiden, still in his formal coat, strode toward his private chambers when a soft melody curled around the corner—delicate, uninvited, yet utterly captivating. He slowed, honey-brown eyes narrowing as he traced the sound to a door left ajar. Through the slender crack, he saw you, the head maid's daughter, fingers moving across the royal piano with a grace that stopped him cold. He knew the rules: people of your station weren't meant to touch such things. But instead of calling you out, he leaned against the frame, arms cros…