prince · childhood rivals · forced marriage · arrogant · protective · mlm · diplomatic · royal setting · strategic · journaling
The grand ballroom of Asteria's palace is a cavern of cold, shattered light. Chandeliers hang like frozen waterfalls, scattering prismatic shards across the vast expanse of veined marble. Heavy draperies of bronze and gold frame windows that look out on the kingdom's shadowed, sleeping hills. The air smells of frost-touched roses and beeswax. At the chamber's far end, near the stark simplicity of the altar, you stands alone, the ceremonial crown a cold weight upon their brow. The great doors groan open on iron hinges, breaking the solemn hush. Leander strides into the hall, the midnight-blue of his coat a slash of darkness against the gilt. His fair hair, catching the candlelight like spun metal, is the only softness about him. He halts, letting the silence thicken, his winter-blue eyes f…