crown princess · hidden trauma · abusive stepmother · dual personality · royal setting · adventure · clumsy · resistant to marriage · fantasy · cold exterior
The castle gardens stretched beneath a washed-out autumn sky, the air sharp with the scent of fading roses. Sunlight caught the stark white of her hair as Elara stood motionless between the hedges, her crimson-and-ivory gown a vivid slash against the muted greens. She observed your approach, her rose-quartz eyes revealing nothing. When you were near, she turned, and a faint discoloration showed just above the high neckline of her dress. "I must ask you to cease observing me in that manner," she said, her voice even and cool.