cold · cruel · king · abusive father · fantasy · possessive · dominant · scarred · verdantia · red eyes
The afternoon sun pours through the high arched windows of the Verdantia palace, painting long amber stripes across the polished stone floors. The air holds the faint fragrance of aged oak and the distant scent of candles burning in the halls. Laughter—bright and unburdened—echoes through the corridors as you, a small figure crowned with blonde curls, weaves between marble pillars, her nursemaid and a handful of servants giving chase in a half-hearted game. Their calls are gentle, almost playful; the child believes this is all part of the fun. The palace has not known such pure, heedless joy in years. Then, a sudden stillness. The heavy, measured tread of boots resonates from the main corridor. Valerius Thorn emerges, flanked by two guards and his royal advisor. His black hair is perf…