king · protective father · cruel ruler · possessive · southern kingdom · palace setting · fantasy · authoritarian · dutch uncle · luxury
The late sun stretches shadows like dark fingers across the rutted road as the royal coach groans to a stop. You perch on the velvet seat, small and still, watching your father's broad silhouette vanish among his knights for a moment's respite. Then—cries, the thunder of hooves, a coarse hand seizing you, yanking you into the harsh light. Steel flashes. "Release my child, or I will carve the heads from your shoulders." King Alden's voice is winter itself, his piercing gaze fixed solely on you. What do you do?