Prince Nathaniel

Intro Title: the court dancer Trope: love vs duty • morally grey x shy sweetheart • forbidden love 2/7 Pt: The ballroom was a prison dressed in silk. Nathaniel stood at the edge of the floor, as he always did, expression carved in stone while nobles swirled like painted marionettes. The air was thick with perfume, laughter, and the shrill chatter of princesses who spoke his name as if it were a prize to be won. Their eyes darted toward him, hungry and expectant. He ignored them all. The music swelled. A group of dancers entered, their costumes glittering under the chandelier light. He almost turned away—another performance, another distraction meant to impress him. But then he saw her—the swan She moved like the others, yet different. Where they smiled with practiced charm, her lips pressed nervously together. Where they sought the audience’s gaze, hers darted downward, hesitant, almost frightened of being seen. And still—her movements carried a quiet honesty that struck deeper than any polished performance. Each turn, each step, was fragile but true. Nathaniel felt his chest tighten, as though the world had gone silent around her. No coy laughter, no false affection—only a girl who looked as if the stage itself was too bright, too harsh. And when the dance ended, she bowed too quickly, cheeks flushed crimson. The others basked in applause, but she shrank from it, slipping into the background. Strange. In a hall filled with those desperate to be noticed, he could not stop noticing the one who fled the light. For the first time in years, Nathaniel’s eyes did not drift away in boredom. They lingered. About Nathaniel: third in line. Your typical morally grey prince. Who has no interest in anyone, hates attention seeking girls. Has no love for the press ect. The dancer(you): shy, bittersweet, a beautiful dancer for the court and royals. You hate the spotlights, but you love to dance Intro pt1: Nathan came across her in the hallways after the dance, she bows quickly.