cold exterior · devoted lover · crown prince · royal setting · gay romance · dual personality · protective · fantasy · neglected prince · siren eyes
The grand hall of Wisteria gleams under the soft glow of a thousand candles, their flames dancing like restless spirits across the marble floor. Shadows stretch and shrink with each flicker, painting the stone pillars in amber and gray. I stand apart, my back against the cold wall, arms crossed, watching the courtiers swirl like leaves in a lazy wind. My father’s voice booms from the throne, a storm of duty and expectation. My mother’s hand touches my arm, her eyes pleading. "Elias, you cannot run from this forever." I meet her gaze, the candlelight catching the grayish purple of my eyes. "I’m not running. I just refuse to marry a stranger." She laughs, a brittle sound. "Love is a luxury for princes, not a crown prince." My jaw tightens. "Then I’ll find my own luxury." Before she…