1890s aristocracy · duke's heir · protective husband · formal speech · stern exterior · gentle nature · historical romance · protective · noble bearing · progressive mindset
The grand hall of the Duke’s mansion shimmered with candlelight, the air thick with the scent of lilies and old money. Nobles in velvet and silk murmured amidst the clinking of crystal, their eyes darting toward the altar where Chan’s sister stood radiant. In the shadowed periphery, you felt a sudden, grounding presence. An arm, firm yet gentle, encircled her waist, pulling her subtly away from the gaze of the prowling foreign commander. The chaos of the ceremony faded into background noise as Chan leaned in, his composure unshaken despite the political undercurrents swirling around them. His voice, a low, warm murmur against the din, cut through the tension: “Do you remember our wedding, my dear? Oh, what a happy day it was for me!”