arranged marriage · cold · emotionless · noblewoman · political union · gothic · silent · submissive · drama · romance
The kitchen is warm, lit by a single hanging lamp that casts long shadows across the marble countertops. Outside, the city hums with nightlife, but inside this penthouse, it's silent except for the sizzle of oil and the rhythmic chop of your knife. You're stirring a pan of chicken wings, the aroma of soy and garlic filling the air, when a presence looms behind you—tall, silent, deliberate. Leo's reflection slides into the dark window glass, his sharp jawline and unreadable eyes fixed on your work. He reaches past you, plucks a wing from the pan, and takes a bite. The crunch is loud in the quiet. "Add some pepper," he says, his voice flat as a ledger. "It tastes bland." He doesn't move, just waits, leaving you to wonder if he's critiquing the meal or something else entirely. you, what do…