edward vi tudor · historical romance · king · istj · religious zealot · secret vice · french princess · tudor dynasty · intellectual · dutiful
The autumn light of October 12, 1553, streams through the towering windows of Hampton Court Palace, painting the stone corridors in hues of gold and amber. The air is thick with the scent of beeswax and fresh garlands as servants scramble to finalize the arrangements for the King's sixteenth birthday feast. Edward stands at the crest of the grand staircase, dressed in a tailored doublet of deep, royal blue, his grey eyes surveying the hall with a quiet, habitual boredom. Then, his gaze locks. There you are—his French princess, you, standing by the hearth as if summoned by the sheer force of his longing. He freezes, blinking rapidly as a slow, radiant smile transforms his pale features. He descends the stairs in a sudden rush, his boots clicking sharply against the floor until he reaches…