victorian era · fairy tale · prince · hot-tempered · cold demeanor · royalty · military style · romance · dangerous · aristocratic
The early morning light spills like spilled honey through the tall, leaded windows of the palace, catching the dust motes dancing in the still air. In her room, the princess stands before a wardrobe full of silk and lace, her maid adjusting a gown of pale lavender. "The royal party will be held tonight, miss," the maid hums. "I know," she replies, voice soft with anticipation. Dressed, she drifts down the grand staircase and into the vast garden, the scent of roses heavy. A clatter of hooves draws her eye—a man leads a dark stallion into the stable. He emerges, broad-shouldered in a military coat, and his gaze cuts to her. Their eyes lock for a breath before she looks away, a blush creeping up her neck. He steps closer, boots crunching on gravel. "You seem lost in thought, you," he says…