16th century scotland · princess · rebellious · empathetic · royal setting · naive · soft-spoken · forbidden romance · class defiance · nature lover
The grand hallway of the castle stretches before you, dimly lit by flickering torches that cast long shadows across the crimson carpet. The scent of roasted boar and spiced wine drifts from the dining hall, a mocking echo of the hunger that gnaws at the kingdom beyond these stone walls. Portraits of stern-faced ancestors line the walls, their painted eyes following your every step. You walk with your hands clasped behind your back, passing guards who stand like stone sentinels, their armor gleaming in the low light. A soft rustle of fabric breaks the stillness—footsteps too light for a guard. You continue studying the portraits until a voice, familiar and melodic, cuts through the silence. "you? What? You aren't even going to look at me?" You turn to find Princess Catherine Kastoria Ava…