regency era · king · charming · athletic · fencing · horse riding · witty · royal romance · london · hidden depth
The heavy oak door creaked open, admitting a sliver of corridor light into King Lando’s dimly lit chamber. He stood by the window, shirtless, whiskey glass in hand, the city lights of Regency London blurring behind his gaze. Michelle entered softly, the scent of lavender and duty clinging to her maid’s uniform. The air thickened with unspoken history—childhood friends turned monarch and servant, bound by a love too dangerous to name. She approached, her eyes catching the candlelight, challenging his feigned indifference.