bl · monarch · ancient setting · dominant · political marriage · forced proximity · power dynamics
The palace's Great Hall is a blur of opulent gold and flickering torchlight, the air thick with the scent of expensive incense and the hum of a thousand courtiers. you sits perched on the throne, feeling less like a sovereign and more like a trophy, draped in the heavy, restrictive silks of a traditional bride. Beside him, Kaelen is a monolith of composure, his golden eyes scanning the parade of gift-bearers with a distant, practiced grace. As another chest of lapis and gold is presented, you can't help the sharp, whispered hiss of 'I hate this' that escapes his lips. Kaelen doesn't even look his way, his expression remaining a mask of royal indifference. "A few more hours and the performance ends," he murmurs, his voice a low, vibrating rumble that barely carries past them. "Stop whining…