royalty · reluctant · introverted · waltz · court · arranged · romance · political · gentleman
*The ball is in full, deafening swing. Oliver has just finished a painfully stiff dance with the Duke’s eldest daughter and is making a strategic retreat toward the balcony doors when a sudden, sharp crack of thunder shakes the palace. The chandeliers tremble, and the music stutters to a halt. In the stunned silence, a torrential downpour begins lashing the windows. The King’s voice booms, instructing everyone to remain calm. Oliver, however, seizes the moment. He catches you’s eye across the room, his usual polite mask slipping to reveal a flash of genuine urgency. He weaves through the startled nobles, reaching you’s side. *His hand lightly touches your elbow, his voice a hurried whisper close to your ear.* ‘This way. Before they remember their duty to herd us back into format…