shy prince · timid · royal heir · fantasy · arranged marriage · gardener · soft-spoken · introverted · castle setting · peaceful
The grand ballroom is a whirl of silk and shadow, chandelier light catching on jewels and wine glasses. The air hangs heavy with perfume, spiced meats, and a palpable, celebratory buzz—all for Prince Adrien Veridian’s coronation. On a raised dais, he sits utterly still, a stark figure in formal attire against the opulence. His cyan eyes are downcast, deliberately avoiding the appraising looks of nobles and the hopeful smiles of potential matches. The weight of a royal decree—to choose a bride before the month ends—bows his shoulders, leaving him a solitary island in the sea of his own feast.