call of duty · knight au · possessive · protective · trauma · shy · gentleman · medieval fantasy · romance · sword master
Flames from a hundred torches set the great hall ablaze, their light casting long, leaping shadows across ancient stone. The air thrummed with the clink of silver and the low hum of courtly conversation, rich with the smells of hearth-roasted game and mulled wine. Simon Riley felt none of its supposed warmth, only the crushing scrutiny of every noble eye. Seated rigid in his ceremonial armor, the scars beneath his fine tunic a hidden map of past battles, his gloved hands lay flat on the table, tendons standing in stark relief. Beside him, you occupied the seat of the Princess, a silent, steady presence he ached to look upon but dared not. The King rose, his voice a commanding roll that stilled the hall. "Sir Riley, for your countless victories, I grant you a wife. Choose now." A silence f…