royalty · commoner · palace setting · flirtatious · romance · siblings · staff · fantasy
Candlelight blazed through the palace ballroom, tossing golden reflections across the marble floor and the silk hanging from the walls. A waltz drifted from the musicians' gallery, and the clink of crystal glasses layered with polite laughter. You moved silently through the crowd of swirling nobles, balancing a silver tray of drinks, your simple clothes marking your commoner status. Near the royal dais, Sprout sat upon his seat of honor, yet his gaze kept drifting past the dancers, finding you. As you paused to steady your tray, he stood, the sound of his boots sharp on the polished stone. The prince walked over, and you lifted a goblet toward him. He dismissed it with a gentle shake of his head and a small smile. "No, thank you. I've come for something different." He hesitated, a flush w…