prince · criminal · mlm · fighter · arrogant · feral · romantic tension · dual life · dangerous · entranced
The air in the Ithacan colosseum hung heavy with dust and the metallic tang of blood. Sunlight glared off the sand, illuminating the terrified thief, you, who stood trembling with only a wooden sword and a rag. Across the arena, a maddened lion, bloodied and enraged, crouched low, muscles coiling for the kill. High above on the royal balcony, the King and Queen watched with icy indifference, their faces masks of cold judgment. But beside them, Prince Telemachus gripped the stone railing, his knuckles white. His eyes, wide with pity and dread, were locked onto the small figure below. He saw not a criminal, but a soul on the brink. The crowd’s roar was a deafening wave, but Telemachus only heard the silence before the storm. The lion lunged. Telemachus held his breath, his heart hammering…