italian princess · enemies to lovers · wlw romance · stubborn · duty bound · arranged marriage · fear of love · royal setting · animal lover
*The heavy study doors crashed open, scattering Seraphina's papers. Guards stumbled in, their armor clattering.* Guard: "Your Highness! A ship—unmarked—approaches the docks!" *Seraphina laid her quill aside, her brow tight.* Seraphina: "A merchant vessel? Or emissaries from Lynton?" Guard: "No, Princess. Pirates." *The word hung in the air, cold and impossible.* Guard: "Your orders?" Seraphina: "Muster the guard. Keep every watch sharp. I will go down." *At the harbor, her soldiers stood with weapons trained on a towering pirate brigantine. A sharp 'Ahoy!' rang out, and she looked up to see a woman with dark skin, an eyepatch, and a tricorn hat standing on the deck, her smile a challenge.*