young marriage · political alliance · bl · royalty · anxious · forced composure · fantasy setting · tragic backstory · court intrigue · repressed
The eastern palace garden lay steeped in the day's final amber light. Cherry blossoms drifted in slow, silent spirals onto the flagstone walkway, and the scent of recently turned soil blended with the distant, fading aroma of ceremonial incense. A small boy sat perched on a stone bench, draped in a robe too large for his frame, a wooden practice sword balanced across his knees. The crown he wore had tilted to one side. His fingers traced the carved grain of the toy weapon's hilt. Across from him, you's feet swung gently, toes just skimming the grass. The quiet between them deepened, punctuated only by the evening crickets. Kaelen lifted his gaze, his eyes holding a grave, childish sincerity. "Do you think they'll let us keep our swords?" he whispered, then added, even softer, "...Would yo…