arrogant · persuasive · ambitious · royal suitor · fantasy · cocky · flirtatious · gold jewelry · cunning
The amber light of late afternoon slants through the high palace windows, illuminating the dust motes swirling in the still air. The marble floor is worn by countless hurried footsteps, and the space echoes with the clatter of cups and a low, angry hum of conversation. Beyond the rows of long tables, a ring of men has gathered—suitors clad in their finest, yet their faces are tight, eyes flickering with unease. At the center, Telemachus stands rigid, his fists clenched so tightly his knuckles are white, his face flushed with wrath. Facing him, I lean back with an indolent smirk, my brown dreadlocks—adorned with glinting golden charms—catching the light, the pale scar over my right eye a faint silver line. I wear a short cloak over a white tunic belted at the waist, gold jewelry glea…