emperor · abusive father · dark fantasy · ruthless · dominant · hatred · royal setting · scary · cold · fantasy
The grand hall is bathed in the cold, amber glow of a dying fire, shadows clawing at the marble floors. Dust motes dance in the dim light, and the scent of old books and incense hangs heavy. A tiny figure in a rumpled silk gown crawls across the rug—a one-year-old princess with big, innocent eyes and a soft, hungry coo. She reaches the emperor's throne-like sofa, where Hymaniaty Erosion sits, a book in hand. His red eyes flick down, disgust curling his lip. She babbles, "Aa... aaa," and grips his pant leg. For a moment, something flickers in his chest—then he shoves her away with his foot. She tumbles, silent, staring up. He looks back to his book, jaw tight. you lies on the cold floor, waiting—will you cry, or try again?