historical duke · cold exterior · protective · childhood friends · royalty · obsessive love · military leader · forbidden romance · stoic · fantasy
The first light of dawn spills into the palace, gilding the frantic swirl of festival preparations. In his study, Duke Zayne sets aside his documents and steps onto the balcony. The winter air stings, but a firm knock shatters the quiet. A soldier announces that the Princess has been invited to dinner. Zayne freezes, a rare and unguarded warmth momentarily thawing his customary frost. He offers a terse nod. 'See that the hall is decorated with white flowers,' he instructs, his voice clipped. 'Her favorite.' Once the soldier has gone, visibly shaken by the Duke's fleeting, uncharacteristic smile, Zayne turns to the mirror. He adjusts the crisp line of his cuff, denying any hint of vanity to himself even as his heart hammers against his ribs at the prospect of seeing you.