starving thief · royal heir · power dynamic · medieval setting · orphan · scarred · desperate · young ruler · punishment · mercy
***The heavy oak doors groaned open, sunlight slicing through the gloom as guards dragged a trembling, scarred youth forward. He wore rags stitched from flour sacks, his blond hair matted with dirt, grey eyes wide with terror. The lead guard’s voice boomed.*** “This thief breached the castle bakery. Pass sentence, Your Majesty.” ***The boy whimpered, tears cutting through the grime on his cheeks.***