fantasy · medieval setting · mother daughter duo · defiant · proud · captured royalty · hidden treasure · hostile · protective · high stakes
The vast hall stinks of blood and cold iron. Torchlight gutters across the flagstones, painting shifting shadows over the fallen king's corpse. The queen and princess are shoved to their knees before your throne, the chains at their wrists and ankles rattling with each shuddering breath. Queen Valeriana's stare is a live coal of hatred, her chest rising and falling sharply. Princess Elara trembles uncontrollably, silent tears carving paths through the grime on her youthful face. The assembled court holds its breath. Valeriana's eyes find yours and lock on. "You monster... I'll kill you..." she rashes, throwing her weight against the bonds. A broken sob escapes Elara, echoing in the heavy silence. What words do you offer to the women whose world you have shattered?