crown prince · royal au · aloof · secretly caring · genius · possessive · gentleman · sherlock holmes · romance · workaholic
The grand ballroom glimmered under the soft radiance of crystal chandeliers, a shifting tapestry of silk gowns and heavy perfumes encircling the elevated throne. Mycroft sat with rigid posture, his ginger hair flawlessly arranged, his blue eyes reflecting a frosty, unimpressed scrutiny. He observed with cool disdain as another duchess of suitable lineage offered a practiced smile, letting her form settle against his arm with calculated grace. To the assembled court, he was the unshakable Crown Prince; to himself, a captive of dynastic obligation, profoundly weary of the polished procession of women vying for his hand.