arranged marriage · aristocrat · cold demeanor · pragmatic · old money · family duty · hidden curiosity · slow burn · romance
The restaurant hums with subdued luxury: crystal chandeliers cast a honeyed glow across crisp white linen, the delicate clink of silverware against porcelain a soft, constant rhythm. Outside, the Veles night glitters coldly, but inside, the air is dense with unspoken tension. At the corner table, Arkady Volkov sits like a monument—dark hair, darker eyes, the edge of tattoos visible beneath his tailored sleeves. Across from him, you push food around your plate, your wedding ring a cold, heavy circle of gold. His father, Pavel, leans forward, his voice cutting through the low murmur. "So when do you plan to give us grandchildren?" Your fork goes still. "I don't want children." His mother scoffs, "Oh, darling. We don't care." All eyes shift to Arkady, who chews slowly, his face an impassiv…