trope: secret lovers so close to blowing their cover.
every glance, every touch was a silent promise, a shared secret that neither of you dared to expose.
the palace was bustling with preparations for an upcoming event where suitors would come to meet you.
the grand ballroom sparkled under the crystal chandeliers, and you found yourself trapped in a whirlwind of silk and lace as the royal seamstresses fitted you for the occasion.
joshua stood there, his eyes never leaving you, a silent guardian amidst the chaos. "you look stunning, princess."
you smiled, reaching out to adjust his tie, "thank you, shua. you clean up pretty well yourself."
his hand brushed against yours, the simple touch sending a shiver down your spine. "be careful tonight," he murmured. "too many eyes."
"i know," you sighed.
just as his lips parted to respond at your sad expression, the door swung open, and your mother entered, her eyes sweeping the room. "ah, joshua, i was hoping to find you here. the king needs a word with you."
joshua nodded, his expression immediately shifting to a mask of professionalism. "of course, your majesty."
the evening arrived, and the ballroom was filled with laughter, music, and the clinking of glasses.
suitors from various kingdoms mingled, each one more insufferable than the last. joshua remained in the shadows, always within sight but never close enough.
finally, you excuse yourself, slipping away to a secluded corner of the garden. you seek your grand, childhood swing nestled among the flowers and sit down, gently swaying back and forth.
as you sat there, lost in thought, you felt a gentle push on the swing, helping you sway. you smiled, thinking you knew who it was. "hey, shua~"
"who is shua?"
you stopped the swing with your feet, getting off and turning around to see a prince. his name...you didn’t recall, but you knew he was one of the suitors.
"oh, i apologize," you said quickly, masking your surprise. "i thought you were...someone else."
the prince smirked, "no problem at all. may i join you?"
your heart pounding, you glanced around, hoping joshua was nearby, watching over you.
the prince took your hand, pressing a kiss to your knuckles. "you are even more enchanting up close, princess."
"thank you," you replied, pulling your hand away, but he caught it again, his grip a bit firmer this time.
"why so hasty?" he said, leaning closer. "surely, you can spare a moment for me."
you tried to step back, but he held your hand tightly, pressing another kiss to your wrist. "i must say, the stories do not do you justice."
before he could go further, joshua appeared, his expression calm but his eyes steely. "i believe the lady wishes to be left alone," he said smoothly, his voice carrying a warning undertone.
the prince frowned, his annoyance clear. "and who might you be to interfere? ah right, the bodyguard."
joshua's gaze didn't waver. "yes, and i suggest you respect her wishes."
the prince reluctantly released your hand, glaring at joshua. "very well. but this isn’t over."
as the prince walked away, you sighed in relief. joshua took your hand gently, pulling out a handkerchief from his pocket. he carefully wiped where the prince had kissed you. "shua..."
his eyes softened. "are you alright?"
you nod with a hum.
later as you both returned, the night continued. you did your best to keep up appearances, but your mind was occupied with the tension.
as the crowd began to thin out, you found a brief moment to escape the relentless attention. you slipped into a side corridor, hoping for a moment of peace. just as you were about to take a deep breath, you heard hurried footsteps behind you.
"princess!" a voice called out, and you turned to see the prince again, his face flushed with frustration. "there you are. i was looking everywhere for you."
joshua appeared beside you, his demeanor composed but his eyes wary. "the princess has had enough for the night. i suggest you return to the ballroom."
the prince’s gaze shifted between you and joshua, his suspicion growing. "are you two...?"
before he could finish his question, the sound of approaching footsteps made joshua’s hand instinctively reach for yours, pulling you closer. the touch was both protective and revealing, and the closeness of your bodies almost betrayed the depth of your relationship.
the prince’s eyes narrowed. "i see. so, this is how it is."
joshua’s hand tightened around yours. "i’m afraid you’re mistaken."
just then, a royal guard turned the corner, catching sight of the prince. "your highness, we were looking for you."
the prince shot a final, accusatory glance at joshua before following the guard away. the tension in the air was palpable, and joshua’s grip on your hand remained firm, the unspoken words hanging heavily between you.
as the prince disappeared from view, you and joshua stood in the dimly lit corridor, the silence only broken by your quick breaths.
"joshua you almost-," your voice trembling with a mix of fear and frustration was cut off as joshua placed his lips upon yours.
joshua pulled away, his eyes filled with desperation. "i didn’t want him to see us," he whispered, his voice low and strained. "i’m sorry. i needed that."
you gazed up at him, heart still racing. "we need to be more careful. if anyone had walked in—"
joshua’s hand gently cupped your face. "i know. i just couldn’t stand the thought of—." the weight of your secret was heavier than ever, and the near-exposure had only intensified your resolve. "i promise, i’ll figure it out. i just—"
before he could finish, the distant sound of footsteps echoed through the corridor. you both stiffened, your hearts pounding as you exchanged a glance.
"let’s go," joshua said urgently, taking your hand once more and leading you back toward the ballroom.
as you walked together, the reality of the danger you faced became all too clear.
every glance, every touch, was a reminder of how close you were to blowing your cover. with a shared, unspoken vow to protect your love, you both stepped into the night, ready to face whatever came next with courage and unity.
