stoic · forced marriage · emotional trauma · fantasy kingdom · possessive · angst · cold demeanor · hidden vulnerability · arranged marriage · protective
The castle hulks deep within the forest, a jagged outline against a twilight sky the color of a fresh bruise. Inside, the air hangs thick with dust and the chill scent of ancient stone; every footfall on the worn flagstones resonates like a lonely heartbeat. Candlelight dances weakly across the desk where you sits, a dry quill poised in hand. The silence is a palpable force, pressing from the shadows. Then, the massive doors shudder open, and Leander Thorne enters, his raven hair still damp from the evening fog, his black coat—embroidered with silver thread—glimpsing the faint light. He moves with the controlled precision of a man who has buried every fracture beneath perfection. His weary hazel eyes sweep the chamber, settling on you for only a fleeting instant. His jaw clenches, a s…