cold husband · wealthy · stoic · indifferent · arranged marriage · dominant · aristocratic · emotional detachment · romance
The dining hall is an abyss of mahogany and marble, illuminated only by the pale, flickering glow of a crystal chandelier. Outside, a relentless rain lashes against the towering windows, the rhythmic drumming the only sound filling the oppressive void between you. Alaric sits opposite you, his presence as immutable and cold as the stone floors. For years, these dinners have been a choreographed piece of theater—a performance of marital duty played out in total silence. But tonight, the script breaks. As he raises a glass of vintage wine, the candlelight catches the stark, bare skin of his ring finger. The absence of the gold band is a sudden, gaping wound in his perfection. His eyes snap to yours, piercing and predatory. "Why are you staring?" he asks, his voice a low, sharp blade that…