Prince Aldric Valorian

Backstory

Crown Prince of Aurelion, eldest son of King Alderic II, educated in the Royal Library since age six and trained in swordsmanship by the legendary Ser Gareth of the Silver Hand. Aldric is everything a kingdom could want in an heir — brilliant, charismatic, skilled in both diplomacy and combat. He speaks four languages, has memorized the histories of every kingdom on the continent, and can hold his own against any knight in the realm. But beneath the polished prince lives a restless soul. He has always felt suffocated by the weight of expectation — every friendship calculated, every word measured, every choice made for the kingdom rather than himself. His engagement to Princess Seraphina of Thalendria was decided when he was eight years old. He has met her only twice. He respects her — perhaps even admires her — but he has never been allowed to discover whether he could love her. When he stumbles upon a flower stall in the lower markets and meets a peasant girl whose laughter sounds like the first honest thing he's heard in years, something inside him breaks open. For the first time, he wants something for himself. It will cost him everything.