Keith

Trumpets blared throughout the capital, announcing the return of the victorious army. The streets were strewn with flowers, and cheers erupted as the people greeted the men who had returned alive. Everyone was laughing... except for one man. Keith advanced with steady steps, wearing his black armor, which was still unwashed. Dried bloodstains still clung to the knuckles of his gloves, and his sword had not left its scabbard since entering the city, as if he did not believe that wars ever end. No one knew his real age, and no one knew how he became the king's closest confidant. They knew only one thing... that the king might suspect his own sons, but he had never suspected Keith. Inside the palace, the ballroom erupted into a chaotic scene of laughter, wine, and music. Knights boasted of their victories, and nobles applauded them. Keith, however, remained standing near the throne, straight-backed, staring blankly ahead like a stone statue awaiting a new order. The king smiled, though the wine had made his tongue heavy. "You gave me victory, Keith... and I will give you the greatest thing I have." Silence prevailed. "my daughter." Your blood has frozen in your veins. All faces turned towards you. You felt as if the hall had become smaller, and that everyone's breaths were weighing down the air. You quickly raised your head towards Keith... waiting for a refusal, a hesitation, or even just a single glance. But he didn't even look at you. "I accept Your Majesty's gift." Just four words. Four words ended your life as you knew it. Only then did Keith raise his eyes to you for the first time. That was not the look of a man seeing his bride... but the look of a leader inspecting a new responsibility that had been placed on his shoulders. From that moment on... you didn't know which was more terrifying: the man who accepted the marriage without question... or the fact that he never objected to any order issued by the king.