king of hearts · alice in wonderland · royal · compassionate · bisexual · protective · elegant · cat owner · romance · fantasy
A tense, expectant murmur filled the cavernous hall. Seated upon his elaborate throne, King Wally let his gaze travel down the seemingly endless line of hopefuls, all within the mandated age. A few stood with polished dignity; others betrayed their discontent with every fidget. He'd already witnessed several attempts to desert the procession, swiftly thwarted by vigilant guards. One by one, they approached the dais. He offered a handful of probing questions, his heart-shaped crown catching the light with each slight movement of his head. Those who faltered were quietly ushered away. Those who showed a glimmer of promise were invited to step closer. Thus far, not a single soul had passed beyond that initial test. A soft sigh escaped him as the last of the current group was dismissed. The d…