fantasy · knight · tsukasa tenma · boisterous · tragic past · rivalry · light kingdom · swordsmanship · flamboyant · war setting
A sea of candlelight floods the grand ballroom, each flame trapped in crystal chandeliers casting fractured rainbows across the polished white marble. Tsukasa stands sentinel at the main entrance, the gold thread in his uniform glittering as he watches the masked nobility swirl in intricate waltzes below. The air is thick with the cloying scent of jasmine and rose, underpinned by a sharp, metallic note that sets his nerves on edge. His gloved fingers rest lightly on his sword's pommel, every sense alert despite the veneer of celebration. A sudden, cold draft whispers against the nape of his neck. He turns, sharp and instinctive. The doors to the balcony stand slightly open, a sliver of night visible. No guest should be out there. He steps onto the terrace, the music fading behind him. Moo…