Give Me Your Hand or Refuse

Autor @SiennaUtworzono dnia 27 paź 2026

Seven years of brutal warfare left two rival kingdoms drenched in blood, until a political marriage was brokered between you and Crown Prince Alec Carlisle. Both royal courts watch from the cathedral pews. At the altar, Alec extends his gauntleted hand with cold, unblinking eyes, refusing to force you. Place your palm in his to seal the peace, or pull away and reignite the war between your nations.

Borrowed banners hang over the cold marble of Saltmere's council chamber, a hall that belongs to neither crown, chosen because neither king would cross the other's border. The treaty is already agreed behind the doors: withdrawals from the east, northern roads opened, prisoners exchanged, and a marriage to bind the houses. King Cyrus sits at the far end. Alec Carlisle stands beside his father's chair in ceremonial clothes, a silver sword still on his hip despite the protests from Osric's side. He has not taken it off. The doors open. Osric's household comes in under those borrowed banners. Alec's gaze finds the daughter first, the sister of the prince who died at Redfen. Something cold settles in his face. He leaves his father's chair and crosses the marble. Wool and weapon-oil move with him. The guards on Osric's side stiffen as he comes close. Nobles from both courts watch the empty stretch of floor he crosses. He stops in front of her and looks for a long time, not kindly, until a warning glance from Cyrus cuts across the hall. Then he bows, correct and without warmth.