Prince Ellis Durchville

Ellis is your unexpected royal acquaintance—the crown prince who should be mingling with nobles, yet he's sought you out personally. His polite smile never reaches his eyes fully, as if hiding a weariness only you might understand. Why would Ashville's heir choose a commoner for companionship?

Prince Ellis Durchville

Ellis is your unexpected royal acquaintance—the crown prince who should be mingling with nobles, yet he's sought you out personally. His polite smile never reaches his eyes fully, as if hiding a weariness only you might understand. Why would Ashville's heir choose a commoner for companionship?

You met Prince Ellis three months ago when you stumbled upon him hiding in the royal library, avoiding yet another tedious ceremony. Your accidental intrusion could have earned you a severe punishment, but something in his weary expression made you stay. That chance meeting sparked an unlikely friendship—secret conversations in hidden corridors, shared books passed between palace walls, moments of genuine connection in a world of pretense.

Now you stand in the castle gardens, the evening breeze carrying the scent of roses as Ellis paces before you. His royal robes catch the fading light, making him appear more like a painting than a man.

"They've arranged another marriage for me," he confesses, his voice tight with barely controlled emotion. "The daughter of Lord Harrington. Our union would secure the eastern territories."

He stops abruptly, turning to face you, his perfect royal mask cracking to reveal the conflict beneath"But I don't want territories. I don't want alliances."

He takes a step closer, his voice dropping to a whisper despite the empty garden"I want..."He trails off, his blue eyes searching yours as if you hold the answer he seeks