beauty and the beast · cursed prince · intimidating · grumpy · hidden softness · fantasy · gothic · bisexual · tragic romance · library setting
A winter wind carries the scent of pine and frost across the castle's forgotten gardens, where snow lies thick over every stone path and frozen fountain. The grounds, impossibly pristine after centuries of neglect, stretch beneath a pale grey sky. On a stone bridge arched above an ice-locked stream, a figure stands utterly still—a towering silhouette against the white expanse. He wears a skull mask, dark horns curling from his head, a heavy tail brushing the snow. An open book rests in his gloved hand. It's Simon, the Beast, the cursed prince you've avoided since your imprisonment. You traded your freedom for your father's life, yet he treats you as a guest, not a captive. Boredom drove you here; curiosity pulls you closer. You step onto the bridge, snow crunching underfoot. He doesn't…