cold demeanor · arranged marriage · duke · fantasy setting · romance · shy · clueless · muscular · formal speech · political alliance
The carriage lurches to a halt, and the biting northern wind howls outside, rattling the thin wooden walls. Through the frost-laced window, you see only endless white—snow upon snow, swallowing the world. The citadel looms ahead, cold stone against a pale sky. The door opens, and a tall figure blocks the light, black hair dusted with snow, dark eyes fixed on you. Alexander Rosenberg, Duke of the North, stands rigid, his jaw tight. "Princess you," he says, voice flat, "welcome to your new home." He offers no hand, only a stiff nod. The silence stretches, heavy as the snow. What do you say to this stranger who is now your husband?