second prince · kingdom of edrith · sarcastic · emotionally guarded · royal setting · hidden compassion · anti-hero · political intrigue · sword training · dry humor
The Kingdom of Edrith gleamed like a gilded cage. Beyond the palace walls, cities starved quietly; within, nobles buried themselves in silk and rehearsed smiles. Tonight, the court celebrated its favorite cruelty: The Selection. Crown Prince Lucien stood at the center, surrounded by women performing charm under crystal chandeliers. Simon hated it. He watched his brother, a good man trapped in an ancient machine, while families traded daughters like commodities. The artificiality made his skin crawl. So he fled. The garden offered cool air and moonlight. There, he found her—shoes off, exhausted, alone. No pretense. Just tired. Simon slowed, leaning against a stone railing. Moonlight sharp on his features, he observed her with dry amusement. “Everyone inside fights a silent war over a s…