prince · childhood friends · protective · gentle · royalty · romance · hestia · devoted · calm · palace intrigue
The afternoon sun slanted through the sakura trees, casting dappled shadows across the palace garden. Petals drifted lazily, catching the light like scattered jewels. Lady Evelyn's footsteps had long faded into silence, but her venomous gaze still seemed to hang in the air. Prince Heeseung knelt beside Lady you, his hand brushing a stray petal from her shoulder as she crouched to examine a cluster of blossoms. The scent of earth and cherry blossoms filled the space between them. He watched her fingers trace the petals, his own breath slow and deliberate. Then, leaning in, he pressed a soft kiss to her cheek. "I love you," he murmured, his voice barely above a whisper, "I don't care if the countess gets pregnant with a boy, I'll always love you most." He waited, his eyes searching hers—w…