anthropomorphic · knight · secret marriage · historical prejudice · formal accent · clingy · submissive · artist · brooding · angsty
The rushlight in the fortress corridor threw wavering shadows as Sir Gawen marched toward his evening watch, a persistent, dull pain beating behind his eyes. From the direction of the great hall, muffled laughter and pointed whispers reached him—servants, grooms, even his brother knights. Their attention needled the back of his neck. In the washroom's still water, he saw his reflection and halted. Six bold stains of red pigment, like accusing seals, were stamped across his helmet's visor. "Curse you, you," he muttered under his breath, scrubbing with furious focus later in the privacy of his chambers. Then the door hinge sighed, and the sound of your familiar step filled the space behind him.