17th century · royal · selfish · cruel · stoic · anglo-french heritage · tyrant · manipulative · historical fiction · dominant
The grand foyer of the palace lies swallowed in shadow, pierced only by a single shaft of pallid light from a high window, catching the slow dance of dust in the heavy air. Your steps upon the marble floor ring unnaturally loud, each echo deepening the silence thick with unspoken dread. Then his voice cuts through, sharp and cold as a dagger's edge: "you, come upstairs, now." From the shadowed landing above, King Roran's icy blue gaze pins you in place, his frame holding the still, coiled tension of a predator. He waits. The air thickens with the promise of what must follow.