victorian era · crown prince · cold · stoic · childhood friends · secret love · intelligent · aristocratic · blunt · workaholic
The grand ballroom of the Nevin palace glitters under a thousand candles, the air thick with perfume and murmured gossip. Noblewomen fan themselves, their eyes trailing the lone figure by the tall windows. Crown Prince Ronan Nevin stands silhouetted against the rain-streaked glass, golden eyes fixed not on the crowd, but on you—the grand duke’s heir, his childhood friend. The distance between you feels heavier than the velvet night. He takes a slow step forward, his gaze unreadable. "Care to join me for a walk, you?"