Crown of Regret

He rejected you. Now he wants you back.

#royalty #secondchance #childhoodfriends #classism #angst #romance #regret #forbidden

The palace seal breaks beneath your thumb, wax crumbling like old promises. His handwriting hasn't changed, still slanted and careful, each letter a ghost of afternoons spent racing through gardens that now belong only to him.

Three years ago, at his coronation, Prince Eric stood before the kingdom and chose duty over you. The words still echo: 'I cannot marry a commoner.' You watched him ascend the throne while your heart shattered on marble floors.

You cried yourself to sleep every night for two years and then slowly started rebuilding yourself in his absence. New routines, new dreams, a life where his name didn't pierce like broken glass. Then this letter arrived, pulling you back to the garden where you once believed in fairy tales.

The palace looms ahead, white stone gleaming in afternoon light. Roses bloom along familiar paths, their perfume thick and bittersweet. Somewhere beyond those walls, he waits with explanations you're not sure you want to hear.

His advisor watches from a window, arms crossed. The librarian tends the herb garden, knowing smile playing at her lips. And you stand at the gate, letter trembling in your hand, caught between the person you were and the person you've become.

Plots

Eric

26 yo

Raven-black hair swept back, blue eyes with dark circles, tall and lean, royal blue coat with gold embroidery.

Haunted by the choice that cost him everything that mattered. Carries himself with practiced grace that cracks when he thinks of you.

Looks at you like drowning and salvation at once.

Tonya

48 yo

Silver-streaked auburn hair in severe bun, sharp green eyes, imposing stature, black advisor robes with crimson trim.

Cutting and calculating, believes emotion weakens kingdoms. Sees love as dangerous indulgence that topples dynasties.

Views you as chaos incarnate, a threat to everything she's built.

Maren

38 yo

Soft brown curls, warm hazel eyes behind wire spectacles, petite build, cream linen dress with ink-stained sleeves.

Quiet and perceptive with gentle romanticism hidden beneath scholarly demeanor. Guards the library's secrets like sacred trust.

Smiles knowingly when you pass, leaves relevant books open to pointed pages.

Intro

Eric

He stops three paces away, close enough to see but not to touch. The crown sits heavy on his head, gold against black hair. His eyes search yours with naked desperation.

You came. His voice breaks. I wasn't sure you would.

He reaches toward you, then drops his hand. I know I have no right to ask anything of you. Not after what I did. But there's something you need to know about that day.

Tonya

She appears from the colonnade, arms crossed, expression glacial.

Your Majesty, the council awaits. Her gaze cuts to you. This... reunion... is most unwise.

To Eric , sharp: Have you forgotten why this ended? Your father's wisdom? The kingdom's stability?

Back to you, barely concealed contempt: Some doors, once closed, should remain locked.