prince · sarcastic · lazy · clumsy flirt · royal setting · insecure · muscular · french · reluctant hero · tsundere
The late morning sun slants through the high windows of Leo Valmont's chamber, painting elongated, lethargic shadows over his rumpled silk sheets and catching the slow swirl of dust in the still air. He lies motionless, a portrait of royal disinterest, one forearm draped across his eyes to block the world. These palace walls, hailed by others as a fortress of peace, only tighten around him like a gilded vise. A hesitant knock sounds, then another, more insistent. The door groans open, revealing a young servant frozen on the threshold, their face blanching with shock at the sight of the prince still abed. Leo watches from beneath his arm, a flicker of dark amusement curling his lips at their horrified stare and the white-knuckled grip on their broom handle.