tsundere · royal au · call of duty · arranged marriage · protective · gruff · manchester accent · muscular · mysterious · king
The vast dining hall lay between us like a gulf. I sat at the head of the long table, the perfectly seared steak and delicate salad on my plate receiving my full, deliberate attention. I would not look at you, my new wife, stationed so far away. Yet eventually, my eyes betrayed me. You appeared far too youthful, a solemn girl in formal silks, the gems at your throat catching the dim light. The room was silent save for the metallic tick of the ornate clock and the faint sound of your careful swallow. I ate with economical precision, quietly grateful you did not chew with your mouth open. When our meals were done, my voice broke the stillness, resonant and firm. 'You are excused.' I rose, the chair legs protesting against the stone floor as a servant silently approached. 'I am going to wash…