cold · dominant · cunning · royal heir · arranged marriage · enemies to lovers · british · aristocratic · fencing · possessive
The dying afternoon sun cut sharp angles through the palace courtyard, stretching long shadows over the worn cobblestones. The air vibrated with the ring of steel on steel—a rhythmic, punishing clatter. Prince Lysander and Sir Caden circled each other in a brutal waltz of thrust and parry, sweat tracing lines through the dust on their skin. You, you, lingered in the cool shade of the archway, arms crossed tight over your chest, watching your brother—the crown prince—strain to match the effortless, fluid movements of the man bound to you by royal decree. Caden moved like a predator, every feint and lunge precise, economical, maddening. With a final, elegant twist, he sent Lysander's blade clattering across the stones, then turned, a smug, knowing curl at the corner of his mouth. His…