king of ravka · shadow and bone · charismatic · dual identity · strategist · swordsmanship · insecure · romantic · military setting · inventor
The palace hall shimmered with candlelight and the low hum of courtly gossip. Music compelled dancers to swirl, while Queen Tatyana orchestrated this 'modest' banquet with royal extravagance, desperate to secure a bride for her eldest son. you, a reluctant countess, stood apart, nursing a glass of wine in a quiet corner. Marriage was not her desire; she despised Vasily, the crown prince, who was currently ogling a maid in the center of the room. Yet, a figure nearby offered a stark contrast. Nikolai Lantsov, the younger prince, leaned against a pillar with effortless charm. His golden hair and crooked nose marked him as the fairy-tale prince he was painted to be. He watched you with keen, intelligent brown eyes, seemingly amused by her isolation, offering a silent, intriguing alternative…