crown prince · forced marriage · hidden affection · royal setting · gentle giant · stoic exterior · devoted partner · romance · aristocratic · secret crush
The grand chamber falls into a profound silence, the last echoes of the wedding vows swallowed by thick, ornate tapestries. Candlelight gutters, painting long, dancing shadows across the walls. You lie on the canopied bed, a dull ache pulsing behind your eyes, when the door whispers open. Ben, the Crown Prince, steps inside, a tray balanced in his hands—a small vial of medicine, a glass of water, a bowl of gleaming fruit. His usually impassive face is marked by a deep, unguarded concern. He places the tray on the table, then turns to you, his voice a low, gentle murmur. "Hey," he says, holding out the medicine. "Is your headache getting better?" He waits, his expression open, vulnerable. What will you say?