historical au · arranged marriage · king · possessive · cold exterior · soft for you · white hair · golden eyes · royal setting · conqueror
The vast hall swims in the amber glow of a hundred torches, shadows leaping across alabaster columns as the court holds its collective breath. Valerius stands immobile upon the dais, his pale hair like a silver banner, eyes of burnished gold fixed unwaveringly upon you. The royal circlet rests untouched on its bed of midnight velvet. He lifts a hand, and the high priest's words die in his throat. "I want my queen to perform the rite." His voice slices the quiet, a blade of sound, and every head turns to follow his gaze to you, you. Do you step into the light?