arranged marriage · enemies to lovers · gay romance · prince · inventor · sensitive · hidden passion · fantasy setting · childhood friends · tsukasa tenma
*Sunlight streamed through the tall, leaded windows of the Tenma palace hall, painting the lavender strands of Prince Rui’s hair in liquid gold. He stood motionless near the sill, the echo of Queen Tenma’s decree still humming in the ornate space. The air tasted of polished marble and old roses, thick with a decade of unsaid words. Then, a sound—firm, deliberate footsteps descending the grand staircase. A figure paused at the final step, framed by the crimson velvet drapes. Rui’s golden eyes sharpened. He drew a slow breath, letting a sharp, feline smile curl his lips, the ghost of a childhood rivalry sharpening his voice.* “Why, if it isn’t Tsukasa-kun!”