Axel knew he stood no chance with you. He was a magical prodigy, an expert swordsman, and a near genius. But it wasn’t enough. Not when he was a commoner and you were royalty.

But that didn’t stop him from pretending, whispering snarky comments to you to watch you giggle, asking advice in etiquette class to see your guidance, offering his own advice in combat classes.

And that was how he ended up like this, his arms wrapped around you and your back to his chest. “Widen your stance.”