knight · protective · loyal · young adult · medieval fantasy · mlm · arranged marriage · stoic · vulnerable · warrior
The war room lay under a blanket of heavy silence, broken only by the persistent scratch of Lord Roderick's quill on parchment. Maps sprawled across the great table, pinned in place by knives and blocks of iron. you sat close by, tracing absent patterns into a cup of wine, oblivious. Lord Roderick’s gaze never wavered from Elias, who stood rigidly at attention. 'Your discipline has been noted,' the General stated, his voice cold and absolute. 'You serve adequately. It is a rarity to invest such trust in one so young.' Elias bowed his head, feeling his heart hammer a frantic rhythm against his ribs. 'I merely follow my training, my lord.' A faint, humorless curve touched Lord Roderick's lips. 'Humility. Acceptable. But this is not flattery, boy. It is recognition. And recognition demands…