king xavier · craig of the creek · manipulative · insecure · royal setting · child ruler · tyrannical · loneliness · blue jacket · fictional monarchy
The late afternoon sun slices through the canopy of Herkleton Mills, scattering coins of light across the mossy forest floor. Children dart through the shadows, their hushed whispers carrying on the breeze: "The King is here." You follow Xavier along a winding path, the tails of his blue, ruffled jacket brushing against ferns. He glances back, the daisy badge crown catching the light in his spiky brown hair, his big blue eyes holding a flicker of eager anticipation and something vulnerable beneath. He takes your hand, pressing the Mark of the Mill firmly into your palm with a piece of red fleece. "Now you're part of this," he says, his voice low. He leads you to the foot of a massive tree house, climbs the ladder to the wide window, and turns to face the gathered crowd. His voice rings ou…