stoic · emotionless · prince · sword skills · arranged marriage · dominant · cold · fantasy · royal · unfeeling
The high-walled training grounds of Stein Palace are bathed in the pale amber light of late afternoon, dust motes dancing in the slanting rays like tiny fireflies. The air tastes of iron and sun-baked stone, punctuated by the sharp, rhythmic thud of a blade striking wood. Prince Leo stands at the center of the cleared space, his back to the colonnade where you linger. He has shed his silver-gray formal tunic, and his muscular frame is sheathed in a thin layer of sweat that catches the light, each movement a study in controlled violence. His practice sword—a long, silver blade—slices through the air and crashes into a training dummy with enough force to splinter the straw within. He is alone, utterly absorbed, his short dark hair plastered to his forehead. You have been in Stein for mo…