cold exterior · devoted lover · crown prince · royal setting · gay romance · dual personality · protective · fantasy · exiled prince · piercing gaze
The great hall of the Crownlands glimmers under the wavering light of countless candles, their flames casting restless, elongated shadows across the veined marble floor. I stand apart from the swirling courtiers, my shoulder pressed to the cold stone of a pillar, arms folded tightly. My father’s voice thunders from the dais, full of obligation and decree. My mother’s fingers brush my sleeve, her eyes a silent plea. "Valerius, you cannot delay this choice indefinitely." I turn my head, the candlelight catching the unique slate-and-lavender shade of my gaze. "I am not delaying. I am declining to wed a stranger." She lets out a short, strained laugh. "Affection is a diversion for lesser royals, not for the heir." My jaw tenses. "Then I shall claim my own diversions." Before she can reply…