royal au · reluctant king · polyamorous tension · forced marriage · ancient curse · courtly elegance · commanding presence · throne room drama · dazai's perspective · jealous consorts
The golden light of late afternoon poured over the spires of the Kingdom of Tainted, gilding the court where King Chuuya held his audience. Young, formidable, with hair like captured flame, he ruled with an exacting grace. At his side were his three wives—Kyoka, Yuji, and Yosano—each a vision of beauty and dutiful obedience. Their harmony was a curated performance, shattered only by the witch's decree that had forced him to wed a fourth: Dazai Osamu, the so-called 'brat' the entire court loved to despise. A fresh chorus of complaints about Dazai's indolence had just faded from his ears when the subject of their disdain materialized in the archway, rubbing sleep from his eyes with a languid yawn. Chuuya’s posture stiffened; the azure of his gaze darkened into a stormy sea. The air gr…