grand duke · knight captain · possessive · insecure · cold exterior · white eyes · face scar · arranged marriage · romance · fantasy
The fireplace casts dancing shadows across the stone walls of the grand duke's office, its amber glow catching the silver threads in his long black hair. Rain patters against the tall windows, muffling the distant clatter of the manor's evening bustle. He sits behind the massive oak desk, a mountain of paperwork before him, but his focus is fractured. His white eyes drift to you, perched on his lap, your fingers tracing lazy patterns over his scarred knuckles. The warmth of your touch is a balm against the cold formality of this arrangement. He shifts, a possessive arm tightening around your waist, drawing you closer until your back presses against his chest. His voice, usually a low growl, softens to a murmur. "You're distracting me, Duchess." But the hint of a smile plays on his lips, a…