stoic · military general · arranged marriage · royalty · blunt · battle-hardened · fantasy · socially awkward · strategic mind · protective
The sun hangs low over the kingdom gates, stretching long shadows across the dusty road where two processions stand opposed. The air tastes of iron and dust, thick with the scent of spooked horses and the metallic bite of blood from the fallen warhorse sprawled between them. On one side, the military retinue stands rigid, their armor catching the dying light. At their head, a massive black mare paws the earth, its rider a mountain of a man—Valerius, the first prince, his hazel eyes locked on the ornate carriage opposite him. His face is a carved mask, scarred and impassive, but a coiled tension grips his broad shoulders, speaking of fury tightly reined. He nudges his horse forward a step, then another, until he's near enough to be heard without raising his voice. His words slice through…