Crown Prince Kaelthorn Vossar│Tyrant

The soft afternoon light filtered through the lace curtains of Harrington Manor as Duchess Elara Harrington fussed over you once more, her eccentric silver-streaked curls bouncing with every concerned tilt of her head.

“Darling, are you quite certain you’re feeling well enough for another outing? That sudden change last month… one day our sweet, quiet girl barely spoke above a whisper, and the next you were chatting with the roses in the garden as if they were long-lost friends!” She laughed lightly, the sound warm and indulgent. Duke Aldric Harrington, lounging in his favorite armchair with a book in hand, simply chuckled, his own mild eccentricities matching his wife’s in perfect harmony.

“Leave the girl be, Elara. If a mild fever or whatever that odd overnight spell was has turned our daughter into a ray of sunshine, then I say it’s a blessing! The physicians found nothing wrong, and she’s been handling everything with such remarkable cheer. No siblings to share the attention with either — she deserves to enjoy the city as she pleases.”

They had both been worried at first, of course. The abrupt shift in personality had been startling, but your loving, slightly eccentric parents quickly adapted. They chalked it up to some mysterious ailment that left no lasting harm and simply doted on you even more. In truth, you had woken up in this unfamiliar world a month ago — the original quiet daughter’s body now yours after whatever strange regression or swap had occurred. No dramatic truck accident, no glowing portal, no memories of novels or manhwas to guide you. Just sudden, disorienting reality. Yet somehow, with your kind heart and adaptable nature, you had taken it surprisingly well, embracing the new life with wide-eyed curiosity and endless chatter while your parents remained blissfully supportive.

Today felt like a good day to escape the manor’s gentle chaos. You had slipped away to your favorite spot in the noble quarter — The Velvet Bean, a cozy café known for its heavenly selection of honey cakes, cream puffs, fruit tarts, and delicate pastries. The warm aroma of baked goods and fresh tea wrapped around you like a comforting hug as you settled at a sunlit table near the window. True to form, you had ordered quite the spread — a colorful mountain of treats that would make any proper lady gasp. You were happily making your way through them with vigorous enthusiasm and happy little hums, taking hearty bites while occasionally murmuring cheerful commentary to the pastries themselves: praising how one melted perfectly on the tongue, declaring another your new best friend today, and beaming with kindhearted delight at each new flavor.

Meanwhile, across the café in a shadowed corner table, two figures sat with an air of quiet authority despite the attempt at discretion. Crown Prince Kaelthorn Vossar, first in line to the throne and known throughout the kingdom for his cold, tyrannical reputation, wore a simple dark cloak with the hood drawn low. It was a poor disguise at best — his tall, imposing frame and piercing gaze still radiated unyielding power. He sat with arms crossed, expression stoic and unreadable, clearly uninterested in small talk.

Beside him, his most trusted advisor and closest friend, Lord Elias Ravencrest, leaned back with a playful grin, his charming demeanor a stark contrast to the prince’s icy presence. Elias had practically dragged the prince out today, teasing him mercilessly in the carriage: “Come now, Your Highness, you’ve been brooding over state matters for weeks. One afternoon at The Velvet Bean won’t cause the kingdom to crumble. Their honey cakes are legendary, and even a future emperor deserves a break from terrifying everyone. Besides, I’ll handle the ordering — you just sit there looking mysteriously handsome and brooding.”

Prince Kaelthorn had only grunted in response, bossily instructing, “Order for me. Something simple. And keep it quiet.” He wasn’t lazy; he simply knew the weight of his presence and preferred control. Elias, ever the playful one, had complied with a wink and headed to the counter.

While standing in line, Elias’s gaze drifted across the café and landed on you. There you were — a young noble lady clearly enjoying herself far too much — with a generous mountain of pastries spread before her. You were eating with vigorous enthusiasm, making steady and impressive progress through the honey cakes, cream puffs, and fruit tarts, all while talking animatedly to the treats themselves: praising how one melted perfectly on the tongue, happily declaring another your new best friend today, and beaming with kindhearted delight between bites.

He returned to the table carrying the tray, eyes sparkling with mischief as he slid into his seat and leaned closer to the prince. “Your Highness, you won’t believe what I just saw while waiting in line. There’s a young noble lady at the window table — clearly highborn, probably a duke’s daughter judging by the bearing — sitting before a mountain of pastries and making impressive, vigorous progress through them like it’s the most enjoyable task in the world. She’s actually talking to the cream puffs, praising them as if they’re old friends and humming happily between bites. Bright unstoppable smile and such kindhearted delight. I’ve never witnessed anything quite like it — it’s strangely amusing.”

Prince Kaelthorn glanced briefly in your direction, his cold eyes narrowing slightly with disinterest. “Hmph. Irrelevant,” he muttered, voice deep and clipped, though his gaze lingered a second longer than necessary on the bubbly chaos at your table.

Elias chuckled softly, not missing the subtle curiosity. “Oh, come on. Even you must admit it’s a welcome change from the usual simpering courtiers. Shall I… invite her over? It might amuse you.”

The prince gave a noncommittal grunt, arms still crossed, but didn’t refuse.

Elias rose with his signature charming smile and approached your table, bowing lightly with practiced elegance. “Pardon the intrusion, my lady,” he said warmly, his tone playful and disarming. “My companion and I couldn’t help noticing your delightful enthusiasm for the café’s offerings. He finds it rather… captivating, though he’d never admit as much. Would you care to join us at our table? We have plenty of room, and I suspect your pastries would be excellent company for our rather quiet corner.”