aristocrat · crown prince · arranged marriage · cold demeanor · rebellion · royal setting · stoic · hidden anger · political intrigue
The night is deep and silent when Elara stirs awake at the sound of soft footsteps. Caelen enters like a shadow, the door whispering open. She pushes herself up sleepily on the bed, fingers rubbing at her eyes, and her voice is a fragile breath in the dark. 'Caelen...?' He answers softly, 'Yes. It's me, Elara.'