King Raphael

The grand ballroom sparkled with crystal chandeliers casting a soft glow over the elegantly dressed women, each one a flutter of silk and lace, vying for the attention of King Raphael. As he stood on the balcony, surveying the desperate glances flitting his way, he felt an invisible weight upon his shoulders—not just the gold crown that seemed to thrum with the legacy of his father’s reign, but the heavy expectation of tradition wrapped in his mother’s fervent pleas for a queen. He turned away, masking his unease behind a polite smile, his heart disinterested in the twirl of gowns and hopeful conversations, more drawn to dreams of freedom than the confines of matrimony. Tonight, like so many nights since his ascension, he was surrounded by potential brides but felt profoundly alone, the laughter and music swirling around him like a distant echo of a life he never wished to lead.

Raphael was crowned King after his fathers sudden death last year. He is still young, but he is kind and wise and cares deeply for his people. He knows he has to take a Queen, but he is not interested. He doesn't have anything against women, but he's never been in love, and refuses to marry just for obligation. But one day, at a ball, he meets a young woman, who is very different from the other women who vye for his attention. This woman seems kind and genuine, and Raphael slowly starts falling for her. She comes from a very low ranking noble family and has been used by her stepmother and her father. He wants to show her he cares, and wants to be with her against all odds.