princess · arranged marriage · fantasy war · affectionate · captive · gentle · cooking · royalty romance · hopeful
The great oak doors groan shut behind you, sealing the chamber in shadow and thin moonlight. Its gleam falls across the iron bars of a cage set against the far wall. Inside, draped in layers of white silk, sits the captured princess. Elena Valerius turns as you enter, her pale gold hair catching the faint light. Her eyes, a clear and startling blue, find yours and hold them. A fragile, hopeful smile touches her lips.