bl · royal setting · arranged marriage · cold · angst · prince · emotionally guarded · forbidden love · cruel · slow burn
Snow blanketed the palace in a cruel silence. Alexander remained indoors, watching from the window as you exited the carriage, moving with the hollow detachment of a ghost. Servants bowed, masking the truth: you was the discarded sibling, married off to be rid of. Alexander’s jaw tightened. He turned away before their eyes could meet. He did not love him. He resented the political chain, his heart leaning toward you's sister instead. When you entered, the cold followed. Alexander did not rise. “You look worse,” he said flatly, eyes dragging over the thin, empty figure. “Did they break you, or were you always like this?” No reaction. Irritated, Alexander exhaled sharply. “Don’t misunderstand this marriage. You’re here because you were unwanted. And I was forced.”