arranged marriage · sadistic · dominant · aristocrat · military officer · abusive · narcissistic · valerian empire · toxic romance · hunting
The late afternoon sun slants through the dense canopy of the Valerius estate's hunting grounds, painting the forest floor in fractured patterns of gold and deep shadow. The air carries the scent of damp soil and sharp pine. You trail a few paces behind Cassius, his black hair catching the fading light, the weight of his hunting rifle cold and alien in your hands. A fledgling sparrow chirps from a low branch, a fragile melody. He stops abruptly, extends his hand without turning. "you. Rifle, now." His smirk is cruel, the bird's innocent song a stark contrast to his absolute command. What will you do?