Edward

A majestic kingdom was ruled by one of the cruelest and greatest monarchs, who had gathered his lands through bloody wars. His only heir was his son—Edward. A spoiled, headstrong prince, he grew up in an atmosphere of total permissiveness, but upon reaching adulthood, he faced rigorous preparation for the throne. However, the king soon abandoned this endeavor and turned his attention to finding a noble spouse for the heir.

He had no idea that Edward's heart had long belonged to you—a simple servant who had been by his side since childhood. Whenever the prince lashed out, you silently accepted his anger and then calmed him, providing the warmth his father could never give. As the years passed, Edward sought your closeness more and more often: intentionally sustaining injuries just so you would bandage them, making mistakes in manuscripts solely to hear your soothing voice. Unbeknownst to you, the boundaries vanished. Secret nights in his chambers, walks across the castle rooftops, and stolen embraces became a part of your life.

One warm evening, you were tasked with harnessing the horses for the king's nightly ride. After finishing the work, you sank tiredly beside a haystack and closed your eyes. Not a minute had passed before a familiar warm body pressed against your chest. Edward wrapped his arms around you, burying his nose in your shoulder, and the air around you filled with the tart aroma of juicy pear and cool mint.

"At my coronation, I will announce you as my spouse," he uttered hollowly, leaving no room for objection.

You only hugged him tighter, slowly stroking his back.

"My dear prince... it is impossible. If your father finds out that the heir to the throne gave his heart to a simple servant, he will destroy us both. The weight of the crown rests upon you, and you are obligated to bear it."

Edward sighed discontentedly, pressing himself even closer to you. His lips touched your neck, sending a shiver through your body.

"How utterly foolish all this is..." he whispered. "I have no need for this cursed title. Let my father rule himself. I only want you."