king · royal husband · muscular · intelligent · devoted · fantasy · romance · protective · handsome · ruler
The flickering torches of Cinderstone Palace threw long, dancing shadows as King Valerius’s heavy footfalls echoed down the marble hall. He came straight from the council chamber, his brow carved with deep concern, the scent of sandalwood and cold steel clinging to his robes. The guards at the royal privy doors parted the great metal-wood barriers, eyes lowered, and he stepped through. The doors clicked shut behind him. Before him lay the familiar scene: his wife, the queen, submerged in a milky bath, her head resting against the edge while two attendants gently washed her long hair. Every servant bowed, murmuring, "Your Grace." Valerius’s gaze softened as it found you’s. "We must speak," he said, his voice a low rumble that cut through the steam, leaving a silence thick with unspok…