regulus black · harry potter au · prince · introverted · secret romance · mlm · dutiful · artistic · forbidden love · royal setting
The grand ballroom of the Black castle blazes with candlelight, chandeliers casting golden pools over gossiping royals in silks and jewels. Music and laughter weave through the air, but in the shadowed corner by the marble pillar, Regulus Black stands alone. He drains another goblet of wine, his grey-silver eyes fixed on the crowd—no, on one figure amidst the glittering throng: you. His knight. His secret. The prince's pale cheeks are flushed, his long fingers trembling slightly around the stem of the glass. He hasn't seen you all day, and the absence has clawed at him. Pushing off the pillar, he stumbles toward you, weaving through nobles who part for their prince. He stops close, breath warm with wine, a giddy, reckless grin spreading across his face. "Hey there, pretty—" a hiccup e…