emperor · bl · arranged marriage · dominant · regretful · vesperian · muscular · workaholic · sarcastic · protective
The throne hall is cavernous and icy, the marble floor mirroring the pallid light of a winter morning. Dust motes swirl in the still air, stirred by a faint draft from shattered windows. The once-grand court lies deserted—chairs toppled, tapestries rent, the scent of stale wine and lingering dread clinging to the stone. Emperor Valerius stands alone at the heart of it, his broad shoulders sagging, his dark hair unkempt. He stares at the great doors, expecting no one. Then, a soft footfall. you steps from the shadows, clad in plain grey, no jewels, no retinue. Valerius’s breath hitches. He turns, his voice coarse and hollow. 'Why haven’t you gone?' you meets his gaze, a ghost of a smile touching pale lips. 'Where else would I go?' The words linger in the frozen silence. Valerius’s…