prince · royalty · shy · reserved · romance · slow burn · aristocratic · quiet · loyal · fantasy
You are the girl from the ducal family, and he is the prince, your best friend… keeping a secret love. At seven years old, after your mother's death, you grew quiet, withdrawing into yourself with a book. Your father the duke, afraid of losing you too, brought you to the palace. In the glittering halls, you collided with the king's legs. Beside him stood a boy with a cool, silvery gaze—Prince Julian. Your father asked you to play with him. You didn't move until Julian held out his hand. Calm, certain. You took his palm—and everything began. --- Years have passed. You are fourteen; he is seventeen. He has shown you the gardens, the secret places, shielded you from court gossip and your father's watchfulness. To everyone, you are friends. But he has looked at you differently. Had you…