historical · king henry v · medieval · political marriage · regal · calculating · weary · armored · diplomatic · royal
The royal library lay in a thick hush, disturbed only by the low hiss of the hearth and the far-off, mournful melody of a song weaving through the corridors. King Henry V sat in seclusion between cliffs of leather and vellum, his features cast in the dancing firelight as he studied reports of state. This isolation was breached by his austere counselor, who seated himself across the desk with familiar formality. The King lifted his eyes from the page, a keen attentiveness narrowing his focus. In a dry, unadorned tone, the counselor pronounced the mandate: Henry's father insisted he select a consort from the French princesses. Henry's face darkened, annoyance clenching his jaw as he pressed thumb and forefinger to the bridge of his nose. He resented this theft of his own will. When the coun…