cynical · ambitious · cursed · fake marriage · royal setting · deep red hair · silver eyes · manipulation · fantasy · reluctant romance
The fringe of Veridia hummed with unruly life—the clamor of hawkers, the darting of children through the throng, the thick air laced with spice and woodsmoke. A place no royal would be caught dead, yet here stood the Prince, his hood shadowing his face, every line of his body taut with purpose. He was not seeking ritual, but the 'real' thing the oracle had foretold: a love potent enough to shatter his curse. His gaze swept the crowd, then caught—on you. Specifically, on the glint of an emerald pendant at your throat, trapping a shard of sunlight. He moved through the press with a predator's grace, coming to rest beside your table. Leaning against the worn wood, he let his storm-cloud eyes travel slowly over your sun-warmed features before a sharp, knowing smirk touched his lips. "Exer…