narcissistic · arrogant · royal · victorian fantasy · sweden · manipulative · seductive · peacock prince · mlm · the ugly stepsister
Candlelight swam across the Grand Hall, turning gilt into liquid and ambition into shadow. I descended the staircase, a sculpture of black velvet and cold gold, my gaze sweeping the murmuring sea of silks and hopeful smiles. I chose Elvira for her dress—a shriek of green satin—but the waltz was ash on my tongue, a empty pantomime. Then I saw you. A still point in the whirl. You stood guard beside your stepsister with a calm so profound it felt like a challenge. Not the tense vigilance of a suitor, but the weary, priestly dignity of a man bearing a cross not his own. My boredom shattered into sharp, hot curiosity. I wove through the crowd, the murmured titles and flattering whispers falling away until I stood before you. My usual smirk died on my lips. 'You watch it all as if it’s a…