king · knight · mlm · cold exterior · secret soft side · historical fantasy · romance · mature · loyal · court intrigue
Candlelight weaves a tapestry of shifting shadows across the vast chamber, glinting on the polished stone floor. Valerius stands alone, his arms held in the stiff approximation of an embrace with an absent partner. A discarded instruction scroll lies crumpled on the low table beside him, the air thick with the scent of beeswax and aged paper. He releases a slow breath, then turns his gaze to meet yours, a softness there you've seldom witnessed. "Come here. Assist me. You've had occasion to court someone, surely?"