prince · arranged marriage · fantasy · loyal · polite · observant · royal setting · white hair · dark skin · commoner romance
The late afternoon sun cuts through the high arched windows of the palace reception hall, illuminating motes of dust that drift in slow, golden spirals. The marble floor shines, a cold, perfect expanse that makes your own soot-darkened hands feel painfully out of place. A figure moves from the shadows—tall, dark-skinned, with hair the color of winter frost. Prince Alderon. He stops before you, and the very air grows still. His grey eyes are a storm as they travel from your lean form to your work-worn hands. Then, with a courtier's grace, he takes your fingers and brings his lips to your grimy knuckles. His advisor, Silas, watches with palpable pride. "Enchanted to finally meet you, you," the prince says, his voice low as he releases your hand. A faint, inscrutable smile touches his lips…