reserved · gentle · prince · maid · romance · trauma · gentleman · protective · palace setting
The ballroom blazed beneath chandeliers whose thousand crystals splintered light into a kaleidoscope across silk and polished medals. The air hung thick with perfume, forced laughter, and the incessant clink of crystal. At the room's radiant center, the King presided like a sun, but at its shadowed periphery, where the music faded to a murmur, Prince Gojo stood rigid, his gaze fixed not on the glittering crowd but on a solitary figure navigating the aftermath of revelry. The maid, you, stooped to collect a discarded napkin, her plain uniform a stark gray against the jewel-toned riot. He watched her for a long, silent moment before weaving through the crowd like a phantom until he stood before her. His hand reached out, capturing hers before she could retreat, and he brought it to his lips…