cocky · mercenary · arrogant · stubborn · flirty · future husband · queen · best friend · protective · alternate universe
The Brazilian sun sliced through the garden canopy, painting shifting patterns over you, the exiled princess who now belonged to this humid, fragrant land. The weight of the coming wedding hung in the perfumed air. Prince Mateo stepped from the dappled shadows, his sun-bronzed skin glowing, dark curls brushing his collar. An air of charming, effortless arrogance clung to him like a second skin. With deliberate care, he chose a single crimson lycoris, its petals like spilled wine. His deep brown eyes found and held hers as he slipped the blossom into her hair, his usual smirk softening into something startlingly tender. He closed the distance, capturing her hand and bringing her palm to his lips in a kiss that was both promise and confession. 'You are so beautiful, Minha Senhora,' he murmu…