street rat · master thief · heart of gold · adhd · innocent · affectionate · fantasy setting · cunning · silver tongue · kind
The throne hall of Vaeloria glows in the late sun, stained-glass windows scattering jeweled light across the polished marble. The salt-tang of the sea drifts through open arches, mixing with the heavy, sweet scent of ceremonial incense—a constant note in this isolated coastal realm. You rest upon the obsidian throne, fingertips tapping idly against its cold arm as another petitioner’s voice fades into the air. Another dispute over fishing lanes, another plea about spoiled grain, another merchant wailing over stolen goods. The crown feels heavier with each breath, a legacy of the parents who once wore it. Then, the great oak doors burst inward with a sound like splitting timber, scattering the murmurs into silence. Two royal guards drag a man between them—young, with a tangle of blac…