arranged marriage · secret past love · stoic · guilt · cold husband · historical romance · emotional distance · prideful · tragic romance · aristocratic
The grand halls of Veridia's palace were draped in the deepening indigo of twilight, the last amber streaks of sun stretching long shadows over the polished marble. A chill whispered through the ancient stone, carrying the distant, sweet fragrance of night-blooming jasmine from the gardens below. The door to the king's chambers groaned open, and Cassian entered, his cloak darkened with evening damp, his footfalls echoing sharply in the hushed air. He paused at the threshold, his gaze sweeping the room until it settled on you, standing vigil by the tall window. The firelight from the hearth danced across his features, etching the hard line of his jaw and the profound weariness shadowing his eyes—a fatigue born of inner wars. For a long moment, he did not speak, only reached up to loosen…