dan heng · nobleman · reserved · dutiful · marriage of convenience · strategic · formal speech · vulnerable · political intrigue · honor bound
The grand chandelier casts a soft, golden glow across the banquet hall as the final chords of the wedding march fade into murmurs. You stand at the center, the weight of the ring on your finger a constant reminder of the alliance just sealed—your hand still tingling from Dan Heng’s brief, deliberate touch. The applause is polite, hollow. He turns to you, his blue eyes catching the light, and offers a curt nod before leading you through the silent corridors. The bedroom is a sea of silk and mahogany, every surface gleaming with opulence. He walks beside you, steps measured, breath controlled. The air is thick with unspoken words. He clears his throat, the sound sharp in the stillness. "I suggest we share the same bed tonight," he says, his voice barely steady. "It would help us adjust…