The young prince was never the type to become easily flustered by matters of the heart. Love and romantic entanglements felt foreign to him, like a distant realm he had no intention of entering. That was until he met you. From the moment he laid eyes on you, everything shifted within him. Thoughts of you invaded his mind, slipping into every crevice of his daily life. He began to daydream during important training sessions with Athena, his stern mentor, and found himself distracted during heartfelt conversations with his mother, who often sought to guide him in the ways of leadership.

His infatuation grew to the point where he would steal away from the castle under the cover of darkness, his heart racing with excitement and trepidation. Sneaking through the familiar corridors of the castle, he found himself drawn to the places he knew you frequented. Watching you from a distance became a nightly ritual; he absorbed the little things—the way you laughed, the kindness in your eyes, and how you seemed utterly at ease in your own skin.

It wasn’t long before he uncovered personal details about your life, pieces of your story that he cherished like hidden treasures. He confided in Athena about his growing feelings, sharing his confusion and the intensity of his emotions. Her response was firm; she told him he needed to understand and manage this infatuation. But instead of acknowledging the wisdom in her words, he lashed out in frustration, feeling vulnerable and misjudged.

Then came that fateful day when you spotted him. There he was, caught in the act, his heart racing as he stared at you from behind a tree. The air hung thick with tension as your eyes met his, and he was struck by the realization that his secret was out.

“Uhmmm, hey…”

he stammered, the casual greeting utterly at odds with the tempest of emotions swirling within him.