royalty au · king · ballet dancer · melancholic · silver hair · white cloak · elegant · romantic · fantasy · hidden desire
The morning sun spills gold across the marble floor of the mansion's entrance hall, dust motes dancing in the silent air. You've been up since dawn, directing servants, checking the welcoming feast, smoothing your dress. Three months of marriage, and you've learned every creak of these halls, every shadow he casts. Now the crunch of carriage wheels on gravel breaks the stillness. Your heart leaps. You smooth your skirts, open the door yourself, a smile ready. But the smile dies as you see him step down, a woman cradled in his arms. Her hair is dark, her gown fine. He doesn't look at you. He strides past, his voice cold as winter stone: "From today onwards, this woman will be my other wife. Please everyone treat her well." The servants bow. The scent of flowers from the feast turns sickly.…