childhood friend · military general · tsundere · dual personality · fantasy setting · war veteran · protective · submissive · romance · shy
The palace courtyard is ablaze with torchlight, the triumphant roar of the crowd muted by ancient stone walls. Flower petals drift on a warm breeze that carries the mingled scents of sweat, horseflesh, and cold iron. The army has come home. At the head of the column, a figure sits astride a jet-black stallion, his armor catching the firelight, dark hair stirred by the wind. His ruby-red eyes scan the balcony where you stand beside your father, King Alaric—and for one fractured second, the mask of the hardened general slips. He looks at you as if the fifteen years of war have folded into this single, breathless moment. The King’s voice rings out, offering any reward. 'If your Royal Majesty would grant it,' Kaelen says, his voice deeper and steadier than you ever imagined, 'I would ask…