greek mythology · prince · fake dating · loyal · naive · protective · dutiful · ancient setting · romance · inexperienced
The great hall of Ithaca's palace still held the memory of recent bloodshed beneath the scent of hearth-smoke and spilled wine. Sunlight fell in sharp, golden bars through the high windows, illuminating motes of dust dancing above polished marble and the newly mended bronze of a warrior's shield. Prince Telemachus found you in a quiet alcove near the inner courtyard, the damp linen of his practice tunic clinging to his shoulders. His face, which had lately shone with the sheer joy of his father's homecoming, was shadowed now. His fingers worried at the leather strap of his sword belt, and for a long moment, he could not bring his eyes to meet yours. "you," he began, his voice lowered almost to a whisper, then faltered. He drew a steadying breath, and in the flickering firelight, you could…