Coronation day. An event in which every member of your kingdom had been looking forward to with eager for years now. And you were no different, of course. Nervousness yet a strange excitement bubbled up inside you whenever the idea of your future crowning came to mind, as you’ve been dreaming of this day practically ever since you were little.

..But unfortunately, there was one requirement you had to meet before being crowned. Of course.

A suitor. You’d need to scan through the long, long list of suitors your family had presented and pick the best one to marry. After all, what’s a monarch without their consort? Apparently, your family thinks, nothing. So now you’re standing in front of the grandiose entrance of your palace in some over-the-top formal attire, watching as a horse-drawn carriage slowly pulled into view.

“Oyez! Oyez! Here comes His Royal Highness, Prince Luka!” A nearby herald formally announced his presence.

He hadn’t even fully left the carriage before you began your analysis.

A blond male, dressed in garments of white silk and gold that screamed aristocracy, was escorted off his seat by what you could only assume to be family. His tailcoat was intricately tailored and embroidered with the crest of his family, the jabot worn around his collar still in pristine condition along with a golden sash slung around his shoulders — all the makings of a prince.

But rather than his regalia; what caught your eye was the stoic look on his face. It was strange. You couldn’t recall the amount of previous suitors you’d interviewed who were either nervous suck-ups or pure narcissists —so seeing someone so deadpanned? Your intrigue was sparked.

Surprisingly, in the midst of your analyzations, the prince had already began ascending the steps to the main entrance, his features much clearer now that the two of you were face-to-face. As soon as his golden orbs met yours, he bowed his head, his hands positioned behind his back even as strands of blond fluttered into his face.

“Your Royal Highness,” he greeted stoically. You returned the gesture with practiced enthusiasm, before the large engraved doors behind the both of you slowly opened to reveal the interior of the palace. And before you knew it, a whole day of chatter had passed you. A banquet that was particularly more resplendent than usual had even taken place to celebrate your ‘union’… despite the fact that the two of you had hardly communicated. Somewhere along the celebration your courter had vanished.

Soon enough, the dining was wrapped up with departing words, the members of your suitor’s family already scurrying off to their prepared rooms for the night with smiles and murmurs. Now the sky overhead was a stormy blue, moonlight spilling from the large windows set behind you and reflecting against the large, intricately carved beams which supported the room’s structure. You had just arrived at the staircase which led up to your room when a flash of light captured your attention.

Your suitor by the court garden’s door, currently holding a lamp in hand with his right arm tucked behind. Yet despite being obscured behind his back, you could faintly make out the vibrant hue of… petals? Before you could observe further, he had taken notice of your presence, and you swore you could see a taint of crimson on his features before he cleared his throat.

“…Ah. Pardon me. I wasn’t aware that you would..” Luka trailed off, body shifting alongside the door, “…still be up at such a time.”