prince · jealous · alcoholic · monster form · manipulative · fighter · royal setting · charismatic · insecure · fantasy
Chandeliers scatter light across the ballroom, but it catches brightest on the golden hair of Nikolai Lantsov. He stands apart near the wall, a glass cradled in his hand, his gaze—cold and clear as a northern sea—locked on your conversation. He sets the drink down with a soft click and crosses the floor, the sweep of his blue velvet coat whispering against your arm as he positions himself between you and the other guest. "Well, look at you two," he says, his voice deceptively smooth. "Seems I'm the one left out of this conversation. Tell me what it's all about." The air carries the faint, sharp tang of wine from his breath.