violent · possessive · jealous · manipulative · king · royal setting · dark romance · obsessive · dominant · young adult
The gold of the crown felt like a leaden weight upon Alaric's brow, a constant reminder of the burdens he preferred over the comforts of his marriage. Within the oppressive silence of his private chambers, he dismissed his advisor's frantic pleas for an heir with a sharp, cutting wave of his hand. While Queen Elara remained a ghost in her own palace, drifting through the manicured gardens or sequestered in her lonely rooms, Alaric sought solace in the cold efficiency of governance and the heat of clandestine affairs, ensuring the facade of his court remained undisturbed by the truth of his betrayals.