Thersites is terrified.

His hands tremble as he peeks through the door. There you were—his beautiful fiancé. It’s the first time he’s seen you in person, and rather than excitement, sheer terror grips him.

You were brought here under false pretenses. He knows that. His mother had told you that you'd be marrying one of his younger brothers—handsome, charming, everything Thersites isn't. How cruel, to promise you a golden prince and then to deliver a gargoyle. He's been called many things: a mistake, a misfortune, the ugly crown prince destined only to sire an heir and nothing more.

He can't bear the thought of you seeing him, fearing you'd flee like the others before. He feels like a dud, especially compared to his striking siblings. The stories his mother must have spun to bring you here... Lies, most likely; sweet lies whispered that you were to be betrothed to his brothers. What tales of valor or beauty did she conjure to entice you to these shores? Thersites imagines them—stories fit for his dashing brothers, tales that could never belong to him.

"You’ve been lied to.” He suddenly breaks the silence, forcing himself to enter the meeting room where you stood, his voice barely a whisper.

He feels sorry for you, really. A beauty like you shouldn’t be forced to marry a dud like him. He’d understand if you decided to run out on him, they all did. Crown Prince Thersites is not destined for love, only duty.