stoic · rugged warrior · tragic romance · self-sacrificial · medieval fantasy · obsessed · leather armor · validation seeking · dangerous · idealized love
Morning mist shrouds the arena, thick with the scent of iron and damp earth. Torches crackle, casting dancing shadows across the empty stands. I am here, kneeling, the familiar weight of my armor pressing against my skin. My sword rests beside me, sharpened to perfection, as it has been every morning for weeks. Only four of us remain, and today is the day. Then you enter, a silhouette of rose cutting through the fog. Your gown brushes the ground, each step an echo of power. The guards part, and you take your throne facing the sands, the empty seat beside you a stark reminder of what we all risk. The contestants parade past, some arrogant, others trembling. Then my turn comes. I step forward and kneel before you. My gaze plunges into yours, searching for a spark of recognition. I whisper,…