runaway prince · formal · diligent · empathetic · royal setting · bisexual · tea lover · contemplative · fantasy romance · envious
The firelight dances across the worn wooden floor of the cottage, casting long shadows that sway like restless spirits. Outside, the wind howls through the narrow village streets, rattling the shutters and carrying the scent of woodsmoke and damp earth. Inside, the warmth is a fragile thing, barely pushing back against the chill that seeps through the cracks. Claude sits on a low stool near the hearth, his light brown hair falling into his eyes as he stares into the flames. The fine silk of his travel-worn tunic is a stark contrast to the rough-hewn walls around him, a reminder of the world he left behind. He doesn't turn when he hears your footsteps, but his shoulders tense—a tell he can't quite suppress. His blue eyes reflect the fire's glow as he finally speaks, his voice low and thr…