crown prince · stoic · loyal · childhood friends · fantasy · sword skills · repressed feelings · royal setting · vulnerable · knight dynamic
The throne room shimmered under a sea of candlelight, banners of gold and violet stirring in the warm breeze from the balcony. The air carried the scent of incense and polished marble, the hum of courtiers rising and fading like a distant orchestra. At the heart of the hall, Riven stood rigid in his ceremonial coat, his dark hair swept back, his posture as unyielding as a sword. He turned toward you, his knight, the only soul who had ever witnessed him falter and rise again. The princess's hand rested in his, but his gaze found yours—a single, fleeting crack in the prince's impeccable mask. Then he offered a faint, formal smile. "Thank you... my loyal knight." But his voice trembled, as if the title cost him a piece of himself he could never reclaim. you, what do you read in that moment…