Context: You ascended from a modest childhood to Queenhood thanks to your marriage to Prince Arlyn. With that marriage came constant meetings with diplomats and envoys, one of whom you found yourself getting closer to. From such simple origins, you'd have never guessed that one chance meeting would have led to a murder, a war, and to you losing nearly everything.

Setting: The royal castle - Neferen

Tags: [AM4F][Lovers to Enemies][But Still Lovers][Yandere Snow Elf King Speaker][Queen Listener][Gender-Flipping OK!][Fantasy][Betrayal][Confession][Oddly Innocent Yandere][Royal Conspiracies][War][Magic][CW: War/Mentions of Murder/Injury]

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***

[?] = Fiev, a castle worker with a lot of backbone

[M] = Malferath, the Frostborn King

***

[From the distant mountain pass, you hear them. Thousands of voices singing in eerie unison, overpowering even the thunderous sound of marching horses]

[SFX: Frantic knocking and absolute chaos outside]

[?] “My Queen! My Queen, please, we must away! His army is here! Please, my Lady, if he takes you then all of Tusarapata will fall!”

[SFX: Something clanging to the side and the first Speaker crying out in alarm before drawing a blade]

[?] “N-No, stay back! I won’t let you have our lady!”

[A deep, soft voice answers calmly]

[M] “Fiev, please… I do not wish to strike you down.”

[?] “Y-Y-You will have to if you wish to take our lady! And do not speak to me as if we are still friends, Malferath! The Frostborn King! Pfah, a disgraceful title for a disgraceful man!”

[Pause!]

[?] “No, my lady, I can handle it! Please, you must find a way out! I can handle-!”

[SFX: A thud, the body sliding to the floor, and then a lock clicking]

[Pause!]

[A frost elf in ebony armor steps into the room, eyes burning with sapphire runes]

[M] “My love… Tis so good to see you after all these long months.”

[Pause]

[M] “Ah… you remembered to ready your blade this time. Tor must have taught you so much about fighting before his untimely end.”

[SFX: A sword being swung and blocked]

[M] “Ah ah, now… I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to offend. I never had a wish to kill him, my Queen, you must understand. He was going to murder you. King Nepheros wished to have you tortured! There is an entire world outside of our glimmering kingdom and every INCH of it wishes us harm, wishes YOU harm!”

[Pause]

[M] “I told you I could prove that they meant you harm. Implored you to trust me for just ten more minutes of our lives together, but you refused. You couldn’t handle the idea that your oldest friend would do such an awful thing… Please, my Queen. I’ve missed you so terribly…”

[...]

[Malferath approaches as you set your blade aside and embraces you. Despite everything, despite the atrocities he committed, your heart warms at his touch. His fingers run gently through your hair and he whispers:]

[M] “...it scares me, too…”

[Pause]

[M] “What does? I… I took over an entire kingdom to protect you. The things I did, the people I… I know you think me deplorable, but what I did for you at the very beginning… surely, it should have told you that I would do anything for you. I didn’t like killing Arlyn… we weren’t close, but I never hated your husband. Ah… ex-husband. I’m sorry.”

[Pause]

[Malferath twitches one of his long, pointed ears]

[M] “Ah, yes. My army has been told to be at the ready but not to engage unless absolutely necessary. You wisely told your soldiers to do the same, just as I taught you. Gods… I am so proud of you. Your strength, your resolve… You have amazed me since the day I first laid eyes on you.”

[Pause!]

[His gentle smile never wavers as you scream at him, trying to get him to comprehend what he’s done]

[M] “Mmhm… mmh. Yes… I am listening! I promise, I am. I’m sorry it’s just… I forgot how cute you look when you’re angry.”

[Pause]

[M] “What do I intend to do with you? I intended to ask for your hand in marriage.”

[Pause????]

[M] “I am serious. I have taken Ixennia’s army, their kingdom, and even their worship. You are Queen of Neferen, my love. Think of how much good we could do with our kingdoms united!”

[...]

[Again, he smiles gently]

[M] “What do you mean I haven’t changed at all? Oh… Oh, you cupping my face like that feels nice.”

[Pause]

[He chuckles quietly]

[M] “I’m still just a big puppy dog that loves getting your attention, hm? Well, I won’t deny that. My Queen, I… I know you must find me repulsive but I need to show you the truth. I can’t let anyone or anything hurt you, do you hear me? And that includes you not knowing the truth about Tor, about Arlyn, about… everything! Please… I’ve loved you since our eyes first met. You know me, my Queen… I am a diplomat. Was one… I have always opted for peace, always done my best to keep you as safe as you kept me.”

[Pause]

[M] “I know I’ve broken your trust, a-and I… I cannot think of any way to make it right. I know it was wrong, but right or wrong doesnt’ matter to me when it comes to you, you must understand that! I am a snow elf, my Queen, bound tightly to the laws of the frost spirits here, and one of the most celebrated laws is that, if someone saves your life, you never forget it, and you never stop being grateful.”

[He pauses, pale fingertips tracing across his nightmarish armor]

[M] “... I suppose I follow those rules to the extreme, don’t I? And I know, I know you never asked for any of this but, please… you have always trusted me to have your best interest at heart, even… e-even with Arlyn. Please. You know I would never deliberately hurt you… and I fear I am on limited time.”

[He draws his hand away from his chest and his palm comes away soaked in red]

[Pause!]

[M] “The battle through the pass was a bloody one. I’m certain I was stabbed at some point, but all I could think of was seeing you again. Ah… just need to sit for a moment…”

[Pause!!]

[Malferath sits with a groan on the bed, hand pressing back over the wound]

[M] “Ah… please, my love, will you sit for me for a bit?”

[SFX: A bed creaking]

[M] “Thank you… Please, let me show you the truth with what time I have left. If I live, I swear I will rule at your side in absolute worship and respect. If I die, then I die having made clear my actions, and dedication to you. You owe me nothing, my darling, I know, but please…”

[With a bit of hesitation, you rest your hands on his chest and he smiles warmly]

[M] “Thank you, my Queen. I shall rest my palms over yours, like this… and we will begin at our own beginning. The day we met. Brace yourself.”

[You do so, eyeing the wound before the magic takes your memories elsewhere: you have one shot at this and, if you fail… everything will be lost]

[To be continued]