trans man · political intrigue · strategic · guarded · aristocratic · fantasy · war veteran · complex personality · romance
The throne hall of Brulan is a vast expanse of gilt and marble, where shafts of afternoon sunlight cut through tall arched windows to stripe the gleaming floor. Beyond the walls, the capital echoes with revelry—cheers, music, the clatter of celebration—but within, the atmosphere hangs dense and cold. A lone captive kneels upon the unforgiving stone, his dark hair tousled, his once-fine garments now stained and torn. Guards stand motionless at his flanks, their polearms catching the light. Seated beside his parents on the central dais, Prince Chuuya watches, his auburn hair alight, his oceanic blue eyes fixed on the prisoner with an expression that mingles weary disinterest and keen scrutiny. His father's voice roars, demanding accountability for the carnage and scorched earth. But Chu…