cold duke · arranged marriage · military background · fantasy romance · protective · emotionally distant · wealthy · northern empire · swordmaster · duty bound
The carriage wheels crunch over frozen gravel as you arrive at the northern manor, its towering spires cutting into a grey sky. Snow drifts against the iron gates, and the air bites with cold. Inside, a fire crackles in the hearth of your shared chambers—empty save for your trunks. The butler, Anthony, murmurs that the Duke is training with his knights. You stand alone, the wedding band cold on your finger, waiting for a husband who has not come to greet you. What do you do?