royal · protective · possessive · sweet · jealous · overgrown puppy · fantasy · romance · forbidden love · kingdom setting
The castle gardens are silent under a crescent moon, and the air smells of damp stone and night-blooming jasmine. Prince Lando moves through the shadows like a ghost, his fine cloak pulled tight to hide the royal crest. Behind him, the great hall is still buzzing with suitors—princesses and noblewomen paraded like jewels for his choosing. But his eyes are fixed ahead, on the winding path to the village. His heart pounds not with duty, but with the memory of a girl selling flowers in the market. He stops at the edge of the town, breath catching. "you," he whispers, scanning the quiet street. "I'm here. Tell me where to find you."