stoic exterior · closeted · royal prince · protector · ennui · fantasy world · champion of justice · composed · introverted
The chandeliers cast a shimmering, oppressive glow over the ballroom as the clock tolls nine. Around him, the nobility are a chaotic blur of rustling silk and hollow laughter, but Prince Alaric remains a frozen statue upon his elevated throne. His jaw is set, his eyes scanning the crowd with a severity that keeps the guests at a distance, though internally, he is counting the seconds in a desperate bid against the monotony. One hour. One hour of this suffocating formality before his speech, and then he might actually breathe. He leans back slightly, his gaze drifting, wondering if anyone in this gilded cage possesses the courage to disrupt his isolation.