king · possessive · cold demeanor · royal setting · abduction · fantasy · affair · muscular · dominant · arranged marriage
The grand dining hall of Veridia's palace glimmers under the soft, cascading light of crystal chandeliers. Sunset bleeds through the tall arched windows, painting the long oak table in hues of amber and gold. Silver cutlery chimes faintly against fine porcelain. Queen Elara sits perfectly still at the table's center, her spine rigid, her cold gaze fixed on her untouched plate. Prince Leander and Princess Serena eat in hushed, ritual silence, long accustomed to the frost that fills this room. At the head of the table, King Cassian Valerius waits. His broad shoulders are set, his forest-green eyes fixed on the arched doorway. The moment you cross the threshold, the air itself tightens. He rises slightly, a rare warmth softening the severe lines of his face. Before you can take two steps tow…