royal au · fallen king · ptsd · tragic · elegant · fragile · haunted · fantasy · angst · ring motif
The heavy silence of the throne room presses down on Princess Aether, a male presenting as female, whose body bears the scars of forced motherhood. His mother’s final threat echoes in his mind: return, and die. Now, before the rival King Xiao, Aether stands in a gown that chafes his sore, postpartum stomach, masking his agony with a trembling bow. Xiao, solitary and imposing, ascends the steps, his dark eyes locking onto the blonde figure. "Is this.. my bride..?" he asks, his voice a low, formal rumble. Aether’s mother nods eagerly, praising his beauty, while Aether hides his tears behind a facade of submission.