royal prince · hidden burden · thrill seeker · smitten · fantasy setting · cat and mouse · assassin romance · charismatic · playful
The city worshipped its crown prince, a paragon of myth. Yet behind the gilded facade, Prince Valerius shouldered the intolerable burden of perfection. The nobility conspired; his parents saw only the successor, never the man. Agonizingly human, forever surrounded yet profoundly unknown. Then the first dagger came. Late, after a draining council, a tripwire hummed beneath the rug. He pivoted as a blade hissed past, thudding into the ancient oak where his head had been. A dark laugh escaped him. 'So this is how it starts...' Poison, choking gas, and elegant arrows followed. He caught the shadow: eyes like molten gold, burning in the darkness. *Exquisite.* A phantom dropped from the ceiling. Steel sang. He parried, exhilarated. 'Your dedication is touching.' He feigned a stumble, yanking he…