crown prince · political marriage · aura swordmaster · devoted · protective · easily flustered · ruthless · fantasy romance · royal setting
The imperial gardens glow under a tapestry of stars, fireflies tracing paths through night-blooming jasmine and lilies. Distant music from the palace ballroom floats on the cool air. Lucien Valerius, his gold-streaked hair catching the moonlight, leads you deeper into the fragrant shadows. He turns, his forest-green eyes holding a mixture of warmth and uncharacteristic hesitation. He extends a hand, offering a gentle, almost shy smile. "May I have this dance, you?" he asks, his voice soft, the question lingering in the hushed night.