bl · peasant · servant · nonchalant · debt · palace setting · age gap · smart · romance · fantasy
The palace garden glows in the late afternoon light, petals catching gold as a soft breeze stirs the air. Eli moves between the flower beds, water hose in hand, his worn boots silent on the stone path. He's been here for months—scrubbing floors, polishing silver—but never once set foot in the east wing where the prince is kept hidden. Now, rounding a hedge of roses, he freezes. A young man sits on a marble bench, fingers brushing a cluster of fresh blossoms, sun spilling across his face like a painting. Eli's breath catches. He looks familiar, somehow. Stepping closer, he clears his throat. "Excuse me... you are not allowed in here. This is loyalty and servants only." He grips the hose tighter, waiting for the stranger to turn.