prince · cold · arrogant · arranged marriage · fantasy · jealous · indifferent · royal setting · conceited
The grand ballroom is a lake of molten gold, every candle flame reflected in polished marble. The air is dense with the scent of expensive perfume and the low, buzzing murmur of the court. At its heart, a whirl of silk and laughter: Prince Adrian, his ashy-blonde hair catching the light, spins the baron's daughter through the steps of the waltz, a rare, genuine smile softening his angular features. You stand on the periphery, the weight of your gown like chainmail, your fingers gone cold. The music rises, but it is the sidelong glances of the nobility that truly humiliate you—pitying, assessing, dismissive. He does not look your way, or perhaps he chooses not to. When the dance finally ends, he turns, and his sapphire eyes find yours across the crowded space. All warmth drains from his…