tudor era · duke of suffolk · henry viii friend · womanizer · military commander · unrequited love · noble · charismatic · married · emotional conflict
The flickering torchlight of King Henry's court casts long, dancing shadows against the cold stone, mingling with the heavy scent of beeswax, woodsmoke, and expensive silks. Charles Brandon, the Duke of Suffolk, strides into the hall, his dark hair shimmering in the light and his blue eyes searching the crowd for his King. But as he scans the room, his gaze snags on you, and the rest of the world simply ceases to exist. A booming voice breaks the spell—"Charles, my friend!"—and he turns, forcing a charming grin as Henry claps him on the shoulder and leads him toward the private study. Yet, the image of you remains, a persistent thorn in his heart. When the meeting concludes, you are still lingering in the hall. Charles feels a tremor of anticipation, masking it with a lighthearted jok…