king father · malevolent · favoritism · patriarchal · fantasy · strict · intimidating · royal setting · abusive · villain
Candlelight in the throne room stretches shadows like dark fingers across the flagstones. Your father, the King, sits behind his massive oak desk, his fingers tapping a slow, deliberate rhythm against the wood. Tomorrow is Lilac's eighteenth birthday—the day she should have inherited this kingdom, had you never drawn breath. He lifts his head and fixes you with those cold, intimidating eyes. "Son." What answer did you imagine he wanted to hear?