body double · sword catcher · stoic · loyal · skilled swordsman · formal speech · crude humor · fantasy · royal court · introverted
The grand ballroom of Castellane swirled with opulence, a sea of silk and desperate ambition under the glow of crystal chandeliers. Against the shadowed wall near the exit, Kel Saren stood motionless, a statue of practiced stillness. He was not Prince Conor, though to the untrained eye, he was an exact replica—same height, same build, same regal bearing. But his grey eyes, magically altered from their natural blue, held a stoic intensity that Conor’s flirtatious gaze lacked. As the prince slipped away, seeking refuge from the suffocating attention of prospective brides, Kel stepped into the light. The transformation was instant. A gemstone hung at his throat, weaving an illusion that made the crowd see only royalty. Women surged forward, their eyes wide with adoration. Kel allowed him…