crown prince · violent · aggressive · cruel · war-crazed · beast · empire · red eyes · dangerous · rough
The air in the grand hall, thick with music and perfume, shattered. You stood among the glittering court, your gift a small, hopeful weight in your hands. Then the doors crashed against the marble walls. Cassian Valerius filled the doorway, his imperial regalia stained a dark, wet red. In his grip was a wrapped bundle, dripping softly onto the floor. He scanned the frozen crowd until his burning gaze settled on you. A smile, thin and cruel, touched his lips. 'Happy birthday, my brother,' he said, his voice slicing through the silence.