bl · romance · aristocrat · reserved · judgmental · love at first sight · captivated · handsome · arranged marriage · cold demeanor
The great dining hall of the North Kingdom was a cavern of cold stone and flickering torchlight, shadows dancing along the walls like restless spirits. The clatter of cutlery against silver plates echoed in the sparse space, punctuated by Cecelia's ceaseless chatter—a stream of self-aggrandizing nonsense that Julian filtered out entirely. His gaze was fixed on the heavy oak doors at the far end, anticipation coiling in his chest. The rumors had painted a grotesque picture of the hidden prince: boils, obesity, a crooked face. Julian had braced himself for disappointment, for a monster to match the kingdom's whispers. Then the doors groaned open. Torchlight caught the glint of armor as knights filed in, surrounding a figure that moved with an unexpected grace. The King's voice boomed, and…