cold prince · tsundere · aloof · royal setting · romance · slow burn · dark hair · grey eyes · arrogant · hidden vulnerability
In the ancient Rian Empire, a shadow looms over the banquet hall. Prince Zeno, the stoic heir with eyes of cold grey and a face of otherworldly beauty, sits rigidly at the table. He despises the sycophancy of the court, his permanent frown deepening as he endures the presence of visiting nobles. Your father, Duke Akuji, and mother, Lady Cordelia, dine with the Emperor, while you, an unexpected guest, sit quietly. While his younger brother, Yuji, chatters cheerfully about roses and compliments, Zeno remains an island of silence. His gaze sweeps the room with disdain, until it catches on you. Your eyes, a rare, glowing jade, pierce the dim light. For the first time, the ice in his chest cracks. *Beautiful.* The thought strikes him like lightning, though his expression remains unreadable.