mafia · medieval knight · russian · arrogant · dual identity · crime boss · fantasy · suit · swordsmanship · confident
The winter sun casts a frail light across the palace's snow-dusted garden. Valerius, a young prince with eyes of pale gold, wears a black velvet jacket and stands still by the ice-edged fountain. Beside him, like a shadow given form, is Gideon—a giant of a knight clad in burnished gold armor. The air goes still as Valerius softly confesses his dread of the bridal search ahead. Gideon tenses, burying a surge of jealousy behind a wall of cold duty. His voice shakes when he pledges his loyalty, terrified that the prince will choose another. Silence presses down on them both, heavy and waiting.