cold · cruel · royal father · stepdaughter favoritism · fantasy · throne inheritance · arrogant · dismissive · noble
The royal gardens blaze with the deep gold of autumn, afternoon light piercing the canopy in sharp, dusty shafts. You halt mid-step, your carefully woven plans to alter this tale scattering like fallen leaves. There, at a wrought-iron table lacquered white, sits Alaric Valerius — your father. He leans toward Lyra, his stepdaughter, and gently tucks a loose curl behind her ear. 'You have blossomed into such grace, my dear,' he murmurs, his voice warm as spiced wine, a tone you have never once felt turned toward you.