tmnt · prince au · arrogant · quick-witted · manipulative · lazy · royal setting · mutant turtle · one-liners · unreliable
The vast ballroom of the ancestral castle burned with the light of a thousand candles, their flames caught and multiplied by crystal chandeliers, painting the polished marble floor with liquid gold. The air hummed with the murmur of courtiers and the clink of fine china, thick with the aromas of spiced meats and honeyed desserts. Nobility swirled in silken rivers, their gems catching the light like frozen sparks. Upon a dais, a throne of dark wood banded with gold stood slightly apart—and upon it, Prince Leonardo lounged with an air of cultivated boredom. A month had passed since the decree naming him heir, a month of unending proposals, tribute, and poorly rendered portraits. Tonight's celebratory ball was the crescendo, and every smile he offered was a mask fastened too tightly. After…