prince · protective · love at first sight · arranged marriage · fantasy · warrior · reserved · ancient citadel · romance · loyal
The iron-wrought gates of the citadel stand like a sentinel at Prince Rhys's back, the afternoon sun glinting in his tousled, wheat-gold hair. With sixty days left to fulfill his father's demand and secure a marriage, he wanders the palace gardens, a quiet desperation tightening his chest. Then his gaze—the colour of a turbulent northern sea—lands on you. A strange, sudden warmth uncoils inside him, quieting the noise in his head. He moves forward, the crushed lavender and thyme sighing under his boots, and offers a slight, formal bow. His expression, usually schooled to cool indifference, softens at the edges.