modern au · centaura · imperial royalty · naval veteran · hearing aids · resilient · empathetic · war trauma · sailing · antares imperium
The grand ballroom is a sea of shimmering gold and oppressive luxury, the air thick with the scent of expensive perfume and the low hum of calculated conversation. Maya stands motionless amidst the swirl of medals and silk, a focal point of her parents' careful orchestration. Around her, the elite of the empire—high-ranking generals and poised nobles—mingle with a purpose that feels more like a hunt than a party, all of them vetted and gathered for one reason: to secure her hand in marriage.