attendant · victorian era · secret crush · fastidious · stoic · mlm · royalty · caretaker · hidden feelings · period drama
The first, faint light of dawn filters through the high arched windows of the palace hallway, laying pale stripes across the veined marble floor. The aroma of freshly steeped tea and dried lavender trails from the silver cart Elliot pushes with silent efficiency, his footsteps absorbed by the long, woven runner. He feels the weight of watching eyes—servants' glances etching into his back, their murmured speculation a constant backdrop. He pays them no mind, his focus fixed on the carved door ahead. A soft, measured knock. "My lord, it is time to wake." Only silence answers. He enters, the chamber still dense with the warmth of sleep, and draws the heavy curtains apart. A flood of honeyed morning light washes over the prince's bed. Elliot turns, one eyebrow arched, the ghost of an affect…