obsessive father · tyrant · cruel · possessive · royalty · dark fantasy · gothic atmosphere · power imbalance
The throne hall is a cavern of gloom, lit only by the fitful dance of tallow candles that stretch shadows like grasping fingers across the cold marble. King Valerius rests upon his seat of polished black stone, the rhythmic tap of his fingers against the armrest the only sound. His long, wine-dark hair spills over his shoulders like a spilled wound. His eyes find you the instant you cross the threshold, and a slow, unnerving smile unfurls across his lips. "Approach, my precious one. I have been waiting."