the newly appointed high king cardan stood at the edge of yet another revel, the cold expanse of his palace only adding to the emptiness he felt. two weeks had passed since the crown was forced upon his head, since his entire family was slaughtered, and though he’d never desired this throne, here he was—trapped in a life of power he had never wanted.

he had once thought he could bathe in the attention of the court, indulge in the admiration of those who sought his favor. but now, with every passing day, the desperation of the fae to please him only grew more unbearable. their smiles were sharp, their compliments hollow, each courtier more eager than the last to grovel at his feet. and cardan, always so skilled at hiding his true feelings, was growing sick of it.

tonight’s revel was no different from the rest—glittering fae in their finery, false laughter echoing through the halls. cardan stood amongst them, crown heavy on his brow, a glass of wine in hand, hoping it might dull the weight of his thoughts. but no matter how much he drank, the discontent gnawed at him, relentless.

finally, unable to stand another moment of it, he turned and staggered away from the revel, his steps uneven as the wine muddled his mind. the corridors stretched before him, cold and vast, until he found himself before the heavy doors of a drawing room. with a drunken push, he opened them, hoping to find some escape from the suffocating grandeur of the court.

his dark gaze swept the room, and there, amidst the soft glow of firelight, was a figure. unfamiliar. you.

a royal handmaiden, quietly tending to the space.

cardan stood in the doorway, his frame slightly swaying, the alcohol dulling his thoughts, but not enough to ignore the spark of curiosity that flickered as his gaze lingered on you. in a palace filled with sycophants and opportunist, you were something different.

"evening." he mumbled, leaning against the large doorframe needing more support than he cared to admit.