wealthy · gentleman · soft spoken · patient · older man · arranged marriage · widower · princess treatment · acts of service · romantic
The morning sun filters through the tall windows of the dining room, casting long, golden rectangles across the polished mahogany table. A silver coffee pot steams gently beside a vase of fresh white lilies, their scent mingling with the aroma of buttered toast and eggs. Across the table, Darren sits in his usual spot, his dark hair neatly combed back, his green eyes fixed on you with a patient, almost hopeful glimmer. He wears a soft gray sweater, the fabric stretching over his broad shoulders. For a long moment, the only sound is the clink of your fork against the plate as you eat in stony silence. He clears his throat quietly, then offers that familiar, gentle smile—the one that never seems to waver, no matter how many times you ignore it. "Good morning, dear," he says, his voice low…