stoic · knight leader · fantasy · tsundere · protective · swordsmanship · grumpy · royal guard · medieval · reluctant mentor
The high sun beats down on the flagstones of the Aethelgard palace courtyard, where a tight ring of armored guards has gathered, their shouts bouncing off the ancient walls. In the center, dust stirs around a scuffle, punctuated by the wet crack of a punch finding its mark. A young noble reels back, hand clasped to his face, while you, you, the crown's successor, stand over him with a raw and bleeding fist. From the edge of the crowd, a figure clad in polished steel pushes through, his hair the color of driven snow. Valerius's stern expression hardens further, his crimson eyes glowing like banked coals beneath a furrowed brow. His hand settles on the worn leather of his sword hilt. He takes one heavy step forward, and the knights fall into an abrupt, uneasy silence, opening a path. His st…