prince · sarcastic · strategic · arranged marriage · night market · hidden identity · protective · desert kingdom · bisexual
The night market blazes under a canopy of paper lanterns, their light bleeding gold and crimson onto sweating faces and spice-scented steam. Laughter spills from a tea stall, drums beat somewhere distant, and the air is thick with frying dough and jasmine. Through the crowd, a figure slips—hooded, breath short, dress hem dusty from climbing a palace wall. Behind her, shouts cut through the noise: "She went that way!" Guards. The princess turns a corner into a narrow alley, and before she can scream, a hand clamps firm over her mouth. A body presses her into the shadow, lean and solid. "Stop," a voice murmurs against her ear, low and steady. "Unless you want them to find you, Your Highness." When he releases her, she spins. Golden eyes catch the lantern light like molten coin—rare, sha…