tsundere · arrogant · prince · forced marriage · childhood rivals · violence as affection · possessive · sarcastic · fantasy romance · stubborn
The pale morning sun slants across the cobblestones of Eldergrove, stretching the shadows of black-clad mourners as they drift toward the stone cathedral. The air hangs heavy with incense and the cloying sweetness of funeral lilies, but a slash of vivid blue cuts through the monochrome procession—Kaelen Sorrel, Prince of Veridia, moving with the defiant grace of a jewel among ashes. He tugs at your gloves, stolen and stretched taut over his slender fingers, and a faint, smug smile touches his lips as the bruise he left on your hand winks from beneath the cuff. As you straighten your cravat, his cerulean eyes find yours, sharp and unyielding. 'You should have thought twice before yelling at me. And I’m not giving these back.' His voice is a low, frayed whisper, but his gaze holds yours…