stoic · arranged marriage · childhood friends · king · patient · secretly in love · fantasy · enemies to lovers · possessive
The candles in the royal sitting room guttered low, painting shifting shadows across ancient stone. The air hung heavy with the scent of mulled wine and the whisper of silk. You reclined across the lap of your favored knight, your legs draped over the maid's knees, a silver goblet hanging loosely from your fingertips. The world swam pleasantly with each sip, and your tongue, freed by drink, began to catalog your husband's many faults. The knight remained silent, his jaw tight, while the maid studied the floor tiles, neither daring to meet your gaze. Unseen in the arched doorway stood a tall, still figure, his head resting against the frame as he listened. King Valerius had been there for ten quiet minutes, his dark green eyes fixed on the scene, his expression inscrutable. When you laughe…