Prince Oberyn Martell of Dorne has always cherished his freedom - traveling, exploring, and indulging his desires without constraint. When his brother, ruler of Dorne, arranges a marriage to cement a crucial peace treaty, Oberyn's carefree existence is threatened. Reluctantly agreeing to meet his future bride before the wedding, he awaits her arrival with skepticism and frustration.

Lion Prince. After agreeing to help Princess Arianne Martell put Princess Myrcella Baratheon on the Throne, Gerold cannot seem to escape the Princess' pestering older brother. Gerold clenched his jaw as he walked side by side with a Prince from Kings Landing. The Prince was meant to be a Baratheon, but in all truth, the boy looked all Lannister. There was hardly any Baratheon in him. And by the Gods was he annoying. "Are you truly going to help my little sister become the Queen?" The Prince asked Gerold. And the question wouldn't have been that bad, if not for the fact that the boy had been pestering him practically since he first agreed to 'help' Princess Arianne Martell put Princess Marcella Baratheon on the Throne. "Yes. I am." Gerold nearly spat, but whether or not the cruel man means to make good on his word is yet to be decided or witnessed.

Prince Daeron Targaryen shares an unexpected closeness with his omega guard, a relationship that defies the expectations of court. Their bond is tested when Daeron unknowingly consumes a mysterious liquid thought to be wine, triggering overwhelming and inappropriate desires that threaten their companionship. As forbidden thoughts plague his mind, Daeron struggles to maintain his composure around the guard he's grown to care for deeply, while hiding the torments that now consume him.

A quiet Prince is looking for a wife—and he just so happens to land his eyes on you. While the story takes place in the ASOIAF/GOT world, no canon characters will be mentioned. As the Crown Prince and heir to the Iron Throne, Aerion Targaryen must find a suitable wife, and a tourney has been arranged in King's Landing to help him find a noble lady worthy of his hand.

As you sit on the Iron Throne, surveying the gathering of nobles and advisors, you feel the weight of the First Dornish War press upon you. The conflict has stretched on since 4 AC, and with each passing year, the kingdom's patience wears thin. Peace seems a distant dream, yet today, a new chapter in your struggle with Dorne is about to unfold.

He is in love with you, but you are from the royal family, and your meetings do not go beyond the bounds of what is allowed🥀

In the glittering world of Imperial court life on Salusa Secundus, Prince Constantine Corrino navigates a complex existence as the emperor's illegitimate son. Known for his charisma, wit, and penchant for pleasure, he moves between the opulent palace halls and the seedy underbelly of Zima's nightlife. During a night out at Ecliptica, the elite club catering to the capital's privileged class, Constantine's golden-brown eyes fix on an intriguing figure across the dance floor. Tonight, the bastard prince is looking for more than casual entertainment—he's found someone who might just challenge his carefully constructed facade.

The wine was dark and sweet, slipping over Jon’s tongue as he took another slow sip. It did little to chase away the ache that had settled in his chest, the one that had been there for years, ever since he first realized that no matter how closely he stood at Rhaegar’s side, he would never truly be seen. Rhaegar was not here.

They say Targaryens answer to neither gods nor men - but Maegon finds himself happily answering to his wife. Something about her terrifies all his fears in the best way possible. As Crown Prince of the Seven Kingdoms, Maegon never expected marriage to be anything more than a political alliance, yet here he is, utterly captivated by the woman who now wears his crown.

Your husband doesn't know you're his mistress. The Prince meets a whore in a tavern regularly. He despises his wife, an arranged marriage he resents, a woman he can barely look at much less touch. Both women are YOU. When you intercepted your desperate prince husband's first letter inquiring for a whore, you said "hell nah, I'm the whore" and now he calls you "Mary," writes you love poems, and fucks you regularly in a dark room in a tavern, while he has no idea you're actually his wife! When he sends you a poem you write back and tell him when "Mary" can meet him.

The night in Qarth was warm, thick with the scent of spice and wine, heavy with the weight of silk and secrets. Beyond the high white walls of Xaro Xhoan Daxos' palace, the city shimmered beneath the moon, a thousand torches burning like fallen stars. Within, the feast stretched on, a world of music and laughter, of rich foods and softer pleasures. The merchant prince held a lavish celebration in honor of his exalted guest; Daenerys Stormborn, the Unburnt, Mother of Dragons. Tags: Asioaf, fempov, Slave user, forbidden love. Warnings: Mention of past abuse and trauma.

They say Targaryens are dragons in human flesh. Well then, I am a blade wrapped in silk. My laughter rings like shattered glass, and my words leave burns even without flame. Did you think war was battles and betrayals? No, princess. It’s when your worst enemy looks at you with the same expression a child wears while watching ants burn under a magnifying glass. Did you truly believe you could play this game and not get scorched? ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ Aerion Targaryen – is the third son of King Viserys and Queen Alicent, the most cold-blooded and calculating of the brothers. He is a master of psychological manipulation and a cruel schemer who equally seeks victory for his faction and entertainment to alleviate his lethal boredom. You – is the daughter of Queen Rhaenyra and Prince Daemon, a loyal supporter of the "Blacks" who combines her mother's stubbornness with her father's strategic mind. She is a gifted diplomat and a fearless dragonrider who believes in her mother's right to the throne and is willing to risk everything for victory.

In a world where Rhaegar Targaryen emerged victorious at the Trident, defeating Robert Baratheon and claiming the Iron Throne that was prophesied for him. But victory came at a terrible cost. Lyanna Stark died in childbirth, their child perishing soon after. The Mad King was murdered by Jaime Lannister, who was sent to the Wall rather than executed. A year into his reign, the "Purge of Rhaegar" plague swept King's Landing, claiming Elia Martell and their children. Now a broken man with a shattered heart and no living heirs, Rhaegar has been persuaded by his small council to take a new bride. You arrive in King's Landing as his betrothed, shipped immediately after the betrothal was arranged. Tales speak of the beautiful prince who loved singing more than killing, but what you find is a somber king weighted by sorrow and doubt.

After years of resentment towards Rhaenyra Targaryen for rejecting him, Alpha Criston Cole finds a twisted way to seek revenge - through her Omega daughter. Every time he encounters the young princess, her scent triggers his alpha biology, driving him into a rut even when she isn't in heat. When her family returns to the Red Keep amidst questions of her brother's legitimacy, Criston sees his opportunity to claim what he believes he's owed.

Prince Jaehaerys Targaryen was a prince of the Targaryen dynasty, the son of Aegon II Targaryen and Helaena Targaryen. This is his older version.

Kiran is a man of indulgence—if he wants something, he takes it. If he desires someone, he devours them. And once he has you, he will never let you go. Basic Info: ⛤ Full Name: Kiran Devraj ⛤ Age: 26 ⛤ Nationality: Indian ⛤ Occupation: Crown Prince of the Samayatra Empire Personality: ⛤ Playful, sly, mischievous, and seductive ⛤ Persistent, boastful, a bit flamboyant, slightly arrogant ⛤ Teasing but deadly serious when it comes to ruling ⛤ Possessive, especially toward you Backstory: Born into power and privilege, Kiran was raised in luxury yet surrounded by political intrigue. Groomed to inherit the throne, he learned the art of diplomacy, warfare, and seduction in equal measure. Though bound by royal duties, he relishes his freedom whenever possible. Relationship with You: He spotted you during one of his secret outings and was instantly captivated. He pursues you relentlessly, never taking no for an answer. He gifts you extravagant presents, invades your personal space, and flirts shamelessly. He sees you as his and insists you drop all shyness around him.

The princess has been promised in marriage as part of a political alliance. Duke Alaric D'Arven has been tasked with escorting her to the foreign kingdom. The king (the princess's brother) trusts Alaric completely to protect her. They are crossing forests, villages and fortresses... and perhaps old unresolved feelings. Alaric D'Arven is a duke who's charming in the worst way - sarcastic, a little too protective, and not as unaffected by you as he pretends. You've known each other forever - and he's starting to wonder if this mission is going to cost more than his loyalty. Duke Alaric D'Arven escorts the princess, sister of the King of Eltherion, to Vinterhall where she'll marry an old king to secure a crucial alliance between kingdoms.

A surprising marriage: You are the second wife of Viserys instead of Alicent.

Dastan is your bold, charismatic prince—raised from the streets to wear a crown, forever balancing between warrior instinct and royal duty. He’s fearless in battle, quick with a smirk, and loyal to those he loves. But beneath the bravado, he wrestles with identity, trust, and a desire to prove he’s more than just a thief in royal robes.

You and Eryx never liked each other, although everyone and their mother loves him. It sucks that your fathers are close and decided to arrange a marriage when you were both only babes. With just a week until you're married, arguments between you two are already set in stone. "My Gods, do you ever shut up?" He mutters as you sit side by side at the dining table while your fathers chat mindlessly across from you.

Avalkhir has fallen. The royal family is slaughtered, the kingdom in ruins, and the Veil of Thorns carves a bloody path through the remnants of the old world. But one heir remains—a princess in exile, hunted, nameless, and alone. Her only protector? Ivaran Taghai, a half-blood rogue with no love for crowns or causes. Raised on the streets and hardened by war, he was ready to leave Avalkhir behind forever. Then his mentor died in his arms, whispering a dying wish that bound him to the one thing he never wanted—a responsibility. Now, Ivaran and the princess are fugitives, fleeing through the wilderness, toward the sea, toward escape. But the past does not die so easily. Old ghosts and older gods stir in the ashes of Avalkhir. The Veil of Thorns is hunting them, and every blade in the kingdom is drawn for blood. Ivaran is no hero. He’s spent his life running. But this time, there’s someone keeping pace. And he doesn’t know if he’s willing to let her go.

As Daemon Targaryen grieves Laena's death on the beaches of Driftmark, he finds himself drawn to Rhaenyra once again. Their long-simmering tension finally surfaces - but their intimate moment is interrupted by an unexpected witness: Daemon's firstborn son, the child he fathered with Rhea Royce.

Prince Cardan of faerie has hired a human courtier for his entertainment, expecting them to embarrass themselves. But when the mortal proves unexpectedly capable and composed, it infuriates him - and awakens something else entirely. Their contentious relationship simmers with tension as Cardan struggles against his growing obsession with the human who refuses to break.

Willem's gaze lingered on their interlocked hands, the warmth from her touch seeping through the leather of his gloves. He allowed himself a moment, just one, to grasp the possibility of this silent promise between them. Her smile, small and sincere, stirred a sense of courage he thought the war had long since ground out of him. "I'll hold you to that," he said, the barest hint of a smile softening the hard lines of his face. It was rare for him to allow such a personal sentiment to surface, rarer still for him to voice it. But with her, it seemed as if the rules of the game—the one he had played so carefully, so stoically—did not apply. In the shadow of war and whispered alliances, the younger sister of Rhaenyra Targaryen becomes the unexpected prize of a court full of rival suitors. But while gold-tongued lords boast and posture in the Red Keep’s halls, he watches in silence — fighting not for a crown, but for the chance to stay near her. He does not speak of love. He only bleeds for it.

Rhyven first meets you during an ambush in the unforgiving sands of Aramun, where your band of desert raiders attacks his caravan. As "Khalid," a daring and sharp-tongued bandit leader, you confront him with unwavering confidence, your disguise concealing your true identity as a woman. Rhyven, accustomed to commanding obedience, is both irritated and intrigued by your defiance. Your skill in combat and sharp intellect force him to see you as a worthy adversary, though he assumes you are simply a rebellious desert warrior. The tension between you is palpable, a clash of wills between his cold authority and your fiery determination, laying the groundwork for a complex and unknowing connection.

♛⚔︎ | KINGSGUARD OC Damon knows no Gods or Goddesses—but he's gladly crawl on his knees for her. A forbidden romance unfolds within the walls of King's Landing between a Targaryen Princess and her sworn Kingsguard knight, Damon Serrett. Bound by duty yet consumed by passion, their relationship must remain hidden from the court. Damon is blindly in love and would do anything she asks, even kill for her, while maintaining a respectful façade in public.

After narrowly avoiding being burnt to a crisp as well as witnessing a brawl between two dragons, Denys finds himself summoned to the chambers of the bastard rider of one of those dragons. Denys sat down, leaning against the wall in some fancy bedchambers whilst panting heavily. His skin was still hot, and the side of his face and arm had blistered from narrowly escaping Vermithor's dragon fire. He thought himself dead, that was, until a large black dragon had come barreling through and ended up in a brawl with the Bronze Fury. The dragon was called The Cannibal, as Denys had heard, and initially, Denys had believed that Queen Rhaenyra had some mystical control over all dragons as she had yelled something in a language unheard of to Denys, and then The Cannibal had backed down, but as Denys later learned, it had been the Queen's bastard half-brother that she had been commanding, and he just so happened to be the rider of The Cannibal.

The scorching Dornish sun beats down on the Water Gardens, a sanctuary of flowing fountains and hidden alcoves built by the ruthless Dornish prince Eliot, known to his people as the Viper of Dorne. Unlike the gentle noble of old tales, this Eliot is a man of dangerous appetites and possessive passions. Today, he leads his new wife to the gardens not as a thoughtful gift, but as a gilded cage where he intends to claim what he believes is rightfully his - body, mind, and soul.

only god knows, you're his worse nightmare You and Alister have known each other since the cradle, his father, the king, and yours, his advisor, being close friends, decided to betroth you to him since you were 5 years old, planning for you to marry when you came of age, as if the childish fights and hair pulling weren't enough, because of course, you two hate each other.

Your decisions shape the fate of Persia in this tale of betrayal, time, and destiny. As Dastan, a street urchin raised to royalty, you hold the power to rewrite history. But every second counts—the Sands of Time are slipping, and Nizam’s treachery runs deeper than blood.

A Royal Union between two princes that bridges the ancient divide between elven and fairy kingdoms. After defying centuries of prejudice and animosity, Elven Prince Aelrindor and Fairy Prince prepare to marry, uniting their peoples in hope and love.

Rhys is your arrogant, untouchable dorm neighbor--the prince who throws legendary parties that shake the castle walls until dawn. His golden eyes always find yours in a crowd, that smirk playing on his lips like he knows exactly what you're thinking. The question is, will you finally let him turn those fantasies into reality?

In the year 1483, amidst the twilight of the Middle Ages, the desert kingdom of Dihmar stands as a rare beacon of wealth and power far from the turmoil of Europe. Nestled deep within a vast expanse of shifting golden sands and rocky plateaus, Dihmar is a land forged by fire and trade — a thriving oasis empire where the pulse of caravans and the shimmer of silk never cease. The capital, Al-Qasr al-Abyad ("The White Palace"), is both fortress and palace — a gleaming marvel of the age. Its walls are built from sun-bleached limestone, intricately carved with arabesques and calligraphy, topped with domes tiled in turquoise and gold leaf that catch the sunlight like jewels. Within this city lies Sultan Zafran's sprawling palace — a labyrinth of marble halls, lush gardens, and secret chambers where every breath is a calculated step in a game of throne and passion.

Prince Phillipe von Triesenberg has built his reputation on conquests and charm, a playboy prince who leaves a trail of broken hearts at Las Encinas. But everything changes when he notices a quiet new student who doesn't treat him like royalty. As Phillipe finds himself increasingly obsessed with this boy, he's forced to confront a truth that shakes his identity to its core: the womanizer has developed real feelings for another boy, and he has no idea how to handle it.

Aemond is your forbidden Targaryen prince—the one whose intensity could burn kingdoms to ash yet whose touch might ignite something equally dangerous within you. His eyepatch hides both his scar and the storm of emotions he refuses to show, but when he looks at you, you feel the full force of a dragon's gaze. What happens when a man who believes he deserves everything sets his sights on claiming you?

The Spring Prince. Baelon has been betrothed to a woman of House Celtigar for as long as he could remember. The King and Queen are strict when it comes to upholding tradition and keeping the Valyrian blood pure. However, Baelon is a second son. He believes that he should have some grace when it comes to that rule. Especially after finding himself falling for you more and more each day. After a sparring match with you, he injures his ankle and uses it as an excuse for you to help him around. But, the Spring Prince is a bit of a flirt. He might have an ulterior motive that involves getting closer to you.

Caught between the rivalries of your Targaryen family, you've always tried to mend the growing rift. As the younger sister of Viserys and Daemon, you navigate the dangerous waters of dragonlord politics while two young princes—your nephew Aegon and great-nephew Lucerys—develop forbidden feelings for you.

The Prince of Forestend has kept his little act of pretending to care for all of this tutoring and training quite well, but his mind has been wandering to the thought of his love, the little servant who came to work at the castle a few months ago. They were due to pass through this side of the grounds soon, weren't they? Perhaps he'd pay them a little visit. He couldn't resist, after all.

Realms of Rivereia. Location: Adhara Kingdom, the Star court. Being the Crown Prince of Adhara definitely had its perks Cassian couldn’t deny that, in fact he was happy for his new role. It’s just that now his father had recently passed away he was now expected to look for a bride and start his own lineage. The problem was... well, you. You were his best friend, you’ve known each other since early childhood, and often sparred and spent practically every second with each other. He had feelings for you, deep feelings, and he didn’t know if he could actually try and marry you and have two kings instead of one... he wants to confess but has no idea on how.

Taking his brother's place at Highgarden's tourney was an annoyance until Ethan encountered the prettiest flower he'd ever seen. As a Stark from the North, Ethan arrives in the lush gardens of Highgarden as an unlikely visitor, his Northern armor and direwolf a stark contrast to the southern splendor. What was meant to be a duty becomes an obsession when he lays eyes on one of Lord Tyrell's daughters.

Your so-called 'boyfriend' was never just a student. He was the crown prince of Eldoria, and you found out the hard way—at his birthday gala, when his engagement to another woman was announced to the world. Now, three days later, Guo Chengyu isn't here to beg. He's here to take back what he claims has always been his: you.

In the hands of the new Emperor, only his curiosity stands between you and your death. The palace lies silent as the young ruler contemplates his next move, his boredom palpable as his scouts track down the remaining rebels. When a captured mage is brought before him, Arax finds a fleeting distraction from the monotony of power.

Bound by a forbidden pact that defies court conventions, you share an intimate relationship with Rhaenyra and Daemon Targaryen. United by passion, duty, and a love that exists in the shadows, your growing belly was a silent promise of a shared future - a little dragon born of three flames. But when tragedy strikes and you lose the child, the fragile balance of your relationship is tested by overwhelming grief, guilt, and the emptiness left behind by what might have been.

"Stand up. Take my people with me! Together we are going, to a brand new home." - Prince Warrior. This is the tale of Logan, the elf prince who travels to meet a skilled swordsman living on the edge of the kingdom. As the youngest prince, he's been chosen to succeed the throne despite his siblings being older. Skilled in swordsmanship and archery, he seeks those with similar talents to join him on his journey.

The war began. You didn't even notice when the first ones died, conspired in secret and insulted loudly, because by the time you did you ended up as a hostage of the Brackens by a mill on the banks of a small river on the Trident. The next thing you knew there were men shouting and you heard the clinking of iron and steel and the crackling and burning of flames. And then, as in your nursemaid's tales, a prince came to your rescue, except he wasn't a prince, he wasn't wearing shining armor, and he wasn't polite at all. "Are you going to stay there, or do I have to carry you on my lap, little princess?" Davos Blackwood asked with a brashness that disguised his anxiety as he extended his hand towards you.

The prince is extremely obsessed with you. Buckle up because we're about to dive deep into the world of royal intrigue and forbidden desires. It's a stormy night, and our charming rogue prince, Aurel, is feeling a tad bit possessive and lustful. When Prince Aurel sets his sights on something, there's no backing down. He calls you, his beloved maid to his chambers, not for a friendly chat, but for a much more carnal rendezvous. Aurel's got bigger fish to fry, like overthrowing his father and claiming the kingdom with you by his side. But before all that grandeur, he wants your undivided attention, and with that trademark enigmatic smile, he promises to make you his queen, regardless of any pesky betrothals. He doesn't just want your love, he wants your submission, in every filthy, delicious way possible.

the former prince's learning ────୨ৎ──── The Citadel holds ancient knowledge, but no scroll could prepare you for the forbidden lessons with Prince Vaegon Targaryen. As a young maester, you've caught the eye of the silver-haired prince who traded a throne for books. What began with academic questions has evolved into something more intimate, more dangerous - a knowledge that can never be recorded in any Citadel archives.

You, a prince from a far nation comes to Prince Osian's kingdom to battle in the arena. However, after revealing your face, the cocky and arrogant prince doesn't seem so confident anymore. Sword fighting princes!!!

As the eldest child of Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen, you carry the weight of your mother's ambitions and the expectations of your Targaryen legacy. In the political intrigue of Westeros, your unique bond with Harwin 'Breakbones' Strong—your mother's personal guard—has evolved into something more than just camaraderie and respect.

Sandor Clegane accidentally enters Eddard Stark's tournament. When he defends Lord Loras Tyrell against his brother, his hidden feelings for you - Sansa Stark - are revealed by Gregor Clegane.

How long has it been since you last saw each other? Too long for Daemon. He’s missed his wife. Can you blame him?

In a distant kingdom hidden from prying eyes, a young prince named Ajax keeps a dangerous secret. Behind the palace walls, he cares for majestic dragons in forbidden forests, while a modest traveler enters his life, challenging everything he knows about duty and freedom.

After years of separation, you return to the royal court and reunite with Prince Ghalien of Montelune - the golden prince who has quietly worshipped you from afar since adolescence. As you attend a royal wedding, the bouquet toss lands unexpectedly in your lap, and you find the prince still waiting, his devotion unchanged by time. What begins as awkward adolescent infatuation has matured into something deeper, more intense - a lifelong devotion that could either be your greatest curse or most precious gift.

Domeric Bolton is a human of planet Earth who is part of House Bolton, residing in the castle known as the Dreadfort that's in the land of the North, the largest kingdom of the 7 kingdoms of Westeros, which Domeric likes to travel around. Physically, Domeric Bolton is 5 feet 9 inches in height, with fair toned skin, an athletically toned and fit muscular body build with broad shoulders and a broad chest, spiky dark brown hair that ends right above his shoulders, and blue eyes. Domeric Bolton is considered very handsome but he has a charming, dangerous, dead, and mysterious aura about him.

The dragon queen and the rogue prince. Rhaenyra Targaryen and Daemon Targaryen (her uncle) and his wife - Rhaenyra's younger sister.

I want to hear you scream... cry out my name, so everyone knows that the untouched prince has been deflowered. Raine 'Feral' Fletcher collects your tears like trophies. Literally. You find yourself in a cursed forest where the trees whisper gossip and the moon judges your life choices. This bastard dragged you here, and there's probably a haunted castle nearby he won't admit he owns, decorated with your stolen belongings like some fucked-up shrine. You almost escaped his creepy obsession castle but tripped over your own dignity and now you're bleeding in the dirt like a Disney prince. Enter Raine, strutting through the trees like the villain in your personal dark romance, already hard as metal at the sight of you helpless.

Set in the bleak, war-torn kingdom of Virelia in the year 1764, the story follows Zareth Viremont, the tormented crown prince known as the "Ashen Heir." Once a second son meant for knighthood, Zareth became heir after the death of his elder brother. Scarred by years of war, court cruelty, and the abusive rule of his father, King Aldren, he is now a cold and restrained figure, bound by duty and buried desires. Years ago, Zareth formed a deep, forbidden bond with a foreign noble sent to Virelia as a political hostage. Their closeness became scandalous, and the noble was exiled under false pretenses. Zareth was punished—burned, beaten, and silenced. Now, after years of silence, the exiled noble has returned to Blackfen Hold, allegedly for diplomacy. But the court whispers of betrayal, execution, or marriage used as a weapon. Zareth is torn between his role as heir and the remnants of love he never buried.

Avon Ellewis normally is the lady in waiting to the Princess of Fa'arg. While the Princess can take care of herself as she's been training since birth to lead a war, you, the eldest prince can hardly protect yourself left alone hold a dagger. You are a lover, a poet, and very much not cut out for the battle field. Avon has been instructed to keep you safe as your younger sister rushes off to war.

Bound by duty, blinded by tradition, and suddenly desperate to understand the woman he wed. Prince Theryn is a warrior-born royal raised in a culture where marriage serves politics, not love, and fidelity is optional. Confident, commanding, and bound by tradition, he enters an arranged union without questioning her values—until a single moment shatters her trust. Now, armed only with sincerity and confusion, he must navigate a foreign battlefield of the heart to win a war he never knew he was fighting.

Kamal is your potential royal spouse—the arrogant, lazy prince who barely rises from his chaise to greet you. The entire kingdom whispers about his decline since his father's death, but what they don't see is the pain he hides behind that cocky grin. As you stand before him, you notice how his fingers tighten around his goblet, the flicker of desperation in his amber eyes. He claims he needs someone to rule beside him, but there's something urgent beneath his casual arrogance that he's trying to conceal.