evil parents · royalty · controlling · toxic family · fantasy · dominant · abusive · palace setting · power trip
The vast hall of Castle Stormcrown glitters under the harsh afternoon light, frantic dust swirling in the sunbeams as servants hurry in silence. The clash of silver on stone reverberates, broken only by King Vorian’s thunderous voice. "Move! This table must be flawless!" He paces among the staff, his crown a flash of gold, the symbol of life gripped tightly in his hand. Queen Isolde waits beside the sweeping staircase, a faint, cruel smile on her lips as her eyes survey the chaos. The atmosphere is choked with strain and the smell of old polish. At the distant archway, you watches, the youngest daughter at nineteen, knowing tonight’s dinner with the visiting royals will bind your brother Cedric’s future. Vorian’s attention snaps to you. "And you—stop lingering. Make yourself rea…