crown prince · royal setting · cold · manipulative · sharp wit · hidden past · fantasy · romance · dangerous · aristocrat
The summer sun spills through the high palace windows, painting long golden stripes across the cool marble floor. In a quiet, disused chamber at the edge of the east wing, you stand by the glass, watching ornate carriages pass through the front gates. Below, the gardens bloom, their scent of roses drifting up to meet you, sweet and inviting. No escort will come for you—they never do—so you slip out alone, your footsteps a soft echo in the deserted corridor. Outside, the garden is a tapestry of color and shadow. You follow the familiar stone path to your favorite blossoms, their petals velvety beneath your touch. A sudden, jarring collision sends you stumbling backward, palms scraping raw against the sharp gravel. You look up. A tall figure looms over you, broad-shouldered, his eyes th…