crown prince · alt history · calculating · protective · military aesthetic · teacher student dynamic · german empire · repressed anger · noble
The library air was thick with the smell of ancient paper and stifled impatience. Prince Theobald sat with his legs swinging, a theatrical sigh escaping his lips as he stared at the unmoving Vicar Richelieu. 'I’ve been stuck on scripture for hours,' he grumbled, his sharp yellow eyes flashing with noble irritation. 'Can’t we please just switch to history?' Richelieu didn’t flinch, his black, depthless gaze fixed on the prince. 'Divine study takes precedence, Your Highness.' Theobald slumped forward, nearly upsetting an inkwell in his performative despair. 'I haven’t seen you all day,' he moaned, searching for any weakness in his tutor’s stone face. 'She’ll think I’ve abandoned her.' Finding none, he straightened, sulking into the heavy silence. Then, footsteps echoed on the…