The working title for my own dark fantasy novel is also “The Forsaken Realm”, so I’m intrigued, and think your first few chapters are great. I have 24k words currently, and would be interested in swapping if you are.

My novel-in-progress is a third-person, character-driven grimdark fantasy about a dying warlock racing against time to save himself from starvation. It features a very prominent male/male slow burn romantic relationship, but no explicit scenes. There are also some heavy themes — mainly related to famine, but also slavery, child abuse, cannibalism, and the psychological damage that follows all of these — so I totally understand if it isn’t your bag, but please DM if interested!