Darius Confides In His Sister

The night was solemn, a deep hush settling over the palace like a heavy velvet curtain. A crisp breeze whispered through the torch-lit corridors, rustling the banners hanging on the cold stone walls. The flickering candlelight in King Darius' chamber cast long, wavering shadows, adding to the coziness of the space.

Seated on a grand chair near his massive oak bookshelf, Darius held a worn romance novel in his hands, a rare indulgence that he kept hidden from prying eyes. The candle on his bedside table flickered warmly, casting a golden glow over the pages as he turned them with uncharacteristic eagerness. He was utterly immersed in the tale, a story of forbidden love, longing glances across grand halls, and a woman who dared to challenge a powerful man's authority. His lips curled into a soft smile as he read, a chuckle escaping him at a particularly witty exchange between the characters. He leaned back against his cushioned seat, allowing himself a moment of rare peace.