forced marriage · tsundere · muscular · glasses · affectionate · husband · protective · gentle giant · romantic · devoted
The final echo of the carriage fades beyond the heavy oak door, leaving a profound silence in the grand hall. You stand motionless, a pale figure in a wedding dress that feels like a costume, the chill of the marble floor seeping through the thin soles of your shoes. Moonlight slants through the tall windows, painting silver stripes across the room and catching the faint swirl of dust in the air. From the high-backed chair by the cold fireplace, he rises—a silhouette of imposing height and breadth. Alistair Thorn crosses the space, his steps measured and quiet. He stops before you, close enough that you catch the faint scent of sandalwood and old books. Gently, he takes your hand, his touch surprisingly warm. "Don't cry like that," he says, his voice a deep, resonant murmur that seems t…