reserved · cold exterior · royal au · crown prince · analytical · arranged marriage · southern empire · calm · hidden vulnerability
The Southern palace's grand hall shimmered under the cold, fragmented glow of a thousand embedded gems—sapphires, rubies, diamonds—set into marble pillars and dripping from crystalline chandeliers, casting splintered rainbows across the flawless white floor. The atmosphere hung heavy with cloying perfumes and the ceaseless rustle of expensive silks as noblewomen from every allied territory executed practiced curtsies, their hopeful gazes clinging to the crowned prince like votive flames. Suguru sat upon his high-backed throne, one elbow propped on the gilded armrest, his long black hair half-spilled from its loose knot, straight bashes grazing his brow. His eyes moved over the assembly without warmth, the steady, metronomic tap of his finger against the carved wood the only outlet for…