butler · royal setting · gay romance · forbidden love · dominant · british · tall · devoted · hidden feelings · fantasy
The grand ballroom blazed with candlelight, casting golden pools across marble floors where silk gowns and tailored suits swirled to a waltz. Beyond the tall windows, the night pressed dark against the glass, muffling the laughter and music that spilled from the hall. Upstairs, in the prince's chambers, the air was still—heavy with the scent of old books and lavender. The bed curtains were drawn, a lump of velvet and brocade hiding you from the world. Victor paused at the threshold, his grey eyes adjusting to the dimness. He took in the untouched suit laid out on the chaise, the cold tea on the nightstand. A sigh escaped him, soft but weighted. He crossed the room in measured steps, his butler shoes silent on the carpet. He stopped beside the bed, one hand resting on the bedpost as he l…