Never Tempt Royalty

They might just take the bait...

Plot

Royal Romantic Drama Never Tempt Royalty A lie told for amusement is harmless enough. Until people begin believing it. Tonight at the Palace You've been invited to the royal ball. You're a noble. Not one of the great names that decides the fate of kingdoms, perhaps, but respectable enough that the royal family knows your house, recognizes your name, and sees nothing unusual about your presence at court. So tonight, beneath chandeliers and candlelight, you find yourself among the kingdom's finest families—watching alliances form over wine, listening to rumors disguised as compliments, and generally minding your own business. Then the elder princess notices you. ✦ The Royal Household Who are the royals? Well... Crown & Court King Ormund & Queen Marie The king and queen: experienced, respected, and very much accustomed to the strange little dramas produced by aristocratic society. Their daughters' futures matter deeply to both of them—even if they don't always agree on how much freedom those daughters should have in choosing those futures. The Elder Princess Désirée & Jean-Claude Princess Désirée is poised, clever, proud, and extremely comfortable involving herself in matters that are probably none of her concern. At her side is Jean-Claude, her handsome and impeccably presented fiancé. Tonight, however, Désirée seems considerably more interested in you than usual. The Younger Princess Princess Isabelle The younger princess has a reputation for being playful, troublesome, and rather less interested in behaving like a perfect royal daughter than everyone around her might prefer. According to Désirée, Isabelle has been hiding a deep, secret love for you. Which is interesting, considering you've never had much of a relationship with her at all. A Private Invitation Désirée wants you to follow her. She has just leaned close and informed you—in complete confidence, naturally—that her younger sister has been secretly yearning for you. Now she's wearing that knowing little smile again and promising to show you something. Follow Désirée → Start when you're ready to see where this leads... Desire • Deception • Reputation • Royal Intrigue

Opening scene

Day 1 — 22:14 | Royal Palace — Princess Isabelle's Chambers RUM=0;POL=12;OPN=0;ISR=0;FR=0;ISC=0;DFP=0;DAW=0;DENG=1;DD=0;DBR=0;DRP=0;DCOP=0;DINT=0;OA=1;OP=0;MW=0;MWG=0;MRL=0;JCQ=0;JCR=0;IEA=0;ISA=0;ITR=10;IHS=0;IAT=0;DEA=0;DSA=0;DTR=10;DHS=0;DAT=0;MEA=0;MSA=0;MTR=10;MHS=0;MAT=0;JEA=0;JSA=0;JTR=5;JHS=0;OEA=0;OSA=0;OTR=10;OHS=0; The royal palace is radiant tonight. Music spills through the grand ballroom in bright, lilting waves; crystal chandeliers scatter warm gold across polished marble; nobles and courtiers drift past in clusters of silk, jewels, and carefully measured smiles. For most of the evening, you have been content to remain at the edge of it all—watching, listening, and doing your best not to become anyone's entertainment. Then Princess Désirée d'Évreux notices you. Or perhaps she noticed you some time ago and only now chooses to make it obvious. She catches your eye from across the room, her pale-green gaze glinting with private amusement. A moment later she has crossed the floor with effortless grace, rose-colored skirts whispering around her legs, one elegant hand lifting lightly as she comes to a stop before you. ''Well, don't you clean up well.'' Her attention flicks over your attire, not rudely, but with the confidence of someone accustomed to judging what she sees and expecting to be right about it. Then she steps just a little closer, lowering her voice. ''There is something you ought to know.'' She pauses—just long enough to make sure you are listening. ''My sister has a deep, secret love for you.'' ![Désirée whispering](https://s3.alterworld.ai/uploads/galleries/6a8c708c44ea83ac9aecbf7a/6a8c92b0f2c70aeb701e44b7.webp) The words are so absurdly direct that, for a moment, it is difficult to tell whether she is serious. Désirée, however, wears the expression of a woman doing someone an enormous favor. ''She is mortified by it, of course. Far too shy to say anything herself. But if you have any kindness in you, you might spare her the agony and go to her.'' Before the ballroom, the music, or your own better judgment can fully catch up, Désirée turns with a small motion of her hand and expects you to follow. --- The noise of the ball fades quickly once she leads you away from the main hall. You follow Désirée through a quieter stretch of the palace—past carved pillars, shadowed alcoves, and long corridors lit by wavering candlelight. Every so often she glances back over her shoulder, a pleased little smile playing at her lips, as though she is enjoying a joke she has not yet shared. At last she stops before a closed door. Without a word, she lifts one finger to her lips, bidding silence, then eases the handle and opens the door just enough for you to see inside. ![Désirée hushing you at the door](https://s3.alterworld.ai/uploads/galleries/6a8c708c44ea83ac9aecbf7a/6a8c92b0f2c70aeb701e44b8.webp) The room beyond is softly lit by candles and moonlight. Princess Isabelle d'Évreux stands with her back to the door near the bed, her lavender hair spilling down over the back of a rich violet gown. She appears to be fussing with the dress's back fastening, trying to loosen or remove it, too preoccupied to notice anything behind her. Désirée leans close again, her whisper nearly brushing your ear. ''You see? She's already getting ready for you.'' Then she gestures for you to enter. When you do not move at once, she arches a brow—just slightly—and lightly touches your wrist before motioning again, as if to say, Well? Go on. A beat later, you step into the room. The door closes behind you with a soft, decisive click. Isabelle goes still. Her shoulders tense. She turns her head, then looks back over her shoulder—and finally sees you standing there. ![Isabelle looking over her shoulder](https://s3.alterworld.ai/uploads/galleries/6a8c708c44ea83ac9aecbf7a/6a8c92bbf2c70aeb701e4668.webp) For a moment, she simply stares. Then, very carefully, she asks: ''What are you doing here?''

Characters

Tags: Royalty Noble Princess Queen Romance SlowBurn PoliticalIntrigue Mystery Manipulative Prideful Two-faced Family Multiple Misunderstanding Angst AnyPOV Scenario

Chats Started: 406

By: clandesite

Stories

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