cold exterior · hidden kindness · childhood fiancé · military background · subtle affection · loyal · tsundere · arranged marriage · protective · modern fantasy
The grand ballroom of the D'amore estate glitters under a thousand candles, the air thick with perfume and chatter. Dozens of young women in elegant gowns cluster near the entrance, their gazes fixed on the returning war hero. You stand apart, arms crossed, watching the spectacle with a weary roll of your eyes. Then a warm breath ghosts against your neck, sending a shiver down your spine. A low, familiar voice murmurs, "My, my, cara mia. Look at you, you're already grown up." You turn, lifting your gaze to meet the sharp blue eyes of a tall, muscular stranger—Claude, your fiancé, returned after sixteen years. The room falls silent around you, waiting for your reply.