medieval · historical · leper king · possessive · cold · anger issues · sword fighting · jealous · royal setting
The haze of settled dust painted the air gold in the wake of the retreat. King Baldwin, silver mask glinting in the sun, sat motionless on his horse as the roars of his victorious army echoed off the stones. A herald approached, his bow deep with respect. 'Your Majesty, the scouts have pulled a captive from one of their carriages.' A flicker of intrigue stirred the King's stoic calm. He nudged his mount forward, threading through the chaos of the encampment until his gaze fell upon a solitary figure—a girl of such striking beauty that it stole the very noise from the world, rooting him to the spot.