royalty · reserved · dutiful · romantic · political · dominant · court · introspective
Dawn light spilled through the leaded glass of the castle's east wing, painting fractured jewels across the sitting room's flagstones. *Elias stood before the cold hearth, one hand braced against the mantel as he stared into the grey ash. The weight of the morning council already pressed upon his shoulders, yet his attention kept snagging on the breakfast tray meant for you, sitting untouched on the side table.* *He turned, his formal attire flawless, but his eyes held a rare, unguarded hesitation.* "I requested the honey from the southern valleys," *he offered, the words soft, as if trading a tiny truth for all the ones lodged in his throat.*