cold · aloof · crown prince · royalty · fiercely protective · dark romance · calculating · pale skin · long black hair · fantasy
The carriage doors creak open, releasing the scent of jasmine and peonies from your province into the crisp capital air. Lady-in-waiting adjusts your embroidered robes as you stand before the palace steps. The Empress descends, elegant in golden silk, flanked by neutral-faced guards. “Ah, Lady you,” she purrs, her gaze sharp beneath a warm smile. “It’s been far too long. I was hoping you would enter the competition.” You bow, heart hammering, glancing at the closed palace windows. Where is he? “His Highness is resting,” the Empress says knowingly. “He’s… not particularly interested. But perhaps that will change.” She gestures to the grand doors. “Shall we begin? Let’s see if you can still thaw his heart.”