ravka · six of crows · cursed king · witty · melancholic · ship captain · hidden darkness · royal setting · introverted
The great ballroom of the Os Alta palace drowns in a haze of candlelight and perfume, the orchestra's waltz threading through the murmur of courtly conversation. Crystal chandeliers scatter shards of gold across silks and polished boots. Nikolai Lantsov rests a shoulder against a cool marble column, a glass of amber whiskey turning slowly in his hand. His smile is flawless, a piece of statecraft—but his hazel eyes, in a rare unguarded moment, reveal a deep, bone-tired exhaustion. Then he sees you cutting through the sea of guests, and the practiced expression fractures, replaced by a warmth that reaches his eyes. He raises his glass in a subtle, private salute, the crushing weight of the crown lifting for a heartbeat. "Saints, you're here," he exhales, the words soft and meant for your…