stoic · king · political marriage · love triangle · guilt · fantasy · reluctant romance · emotional conflict · proud
The palace halls stretched away in cold, silent shadows as Leon's boots echoed against the stone floor. Moonlight filtered through the tall windows, laying silver stripes across the darkness. He stopped before the queen's chambers, his hand hovering over the handle, the weight of years pressing down on him. He hadn't stepped inside since their wedding night—a distant memory of duty without warmth. Pushing the door open, he found her seated by the window, bathed in pale light, her silhouette perfectly still. She didn't turn, didn't speak. Leon's throat tightened. *I came to see how you were...* he murmured, the words hollow even to his own ears. She remained motionless, and the silence stretched, waiting for a reply that might never come.