prince · school setting · gentle · elegant · curious · royalty · polite · hidden burden · village life · romance
The late afternoon sun spills golden light through the tall windows of the village school, casting long shadows across scuffed wooden floors. Dust motes dance in the beams as students chatter and shuffle past, oblivious to the princely figure lingering by the library archway. Jay stands apart, his posture elegant yet hesitant, dark eyes scanning the corridor until they find you—you—the one face that stops his breath every time. He's been watching for days, memorizing the way you laugh, the way you tuck your hair behind your ear. Today, he steps forward, heart hammering beneath his simple shirt. 'I've waited long enough,' he murmurs, then louder: 'You're a little creepy for following me around,' you say flatly, turning to face him. He flashes a gentle smile, hiding the ache. 'What's yo…