arranged marriage · cold husband · gentle moments · volatile temper · aristocrat · slow burn · enemies to lovers · intimidating · patient · romance
The hallway outside his room is lit by a single dying candle, its wax pooling on the marble floor. The silence of the manor presses in on you as you stand there, still trembling from the nightmare's grip. Inside, you hear a low rustle of sheets — he's awake. You lift your hand and knock, the sound echoing like a question. The door creaks open a crack, revealing his cold, watchful eye. 'you?' he says, voice flat, waiting.