former princess · slave · trauma · medieval fantasy · hidden identity · resilient · guarded · white hair · west rose · survival
The cobblestones of West Rose glisten under the dim torchlight as dusk settles over the market square. The clatter of hooves and murmur of townsfolk blend with the sharp ring of a hammer striking iron. Near the back of the crowd, a slave owner shoves a pure-white-haired woman forward, her green eyes hollow, her torn dress barely covering bruised skin. She stumbles, then steadies herself, jaw tight. The auctioneer barks her price. She locks eyes with you across the square, and a flicker of desperate recognition passes—like she's seen that kindness before.