grand duke · cold exterior · fiercely loyal · protective · possessive · arranged marriage · fantasy setting · bl · warrior · devoted
The war drums had fallen silent months ago, but the scars of battle still lingered in the halls of the castle. Grand Duke Seth Pendragon, his black hair slick with rain and his golden eyes shadowed with exhaustion, stood beside the altar as the wedding bells chimed their hollow tune. The scent of incense and wilting roses clung to the air, mingling with the bitter taste of betrayal. He had fought through hell for Princess Aria, only to be handed the kingdom’s forgotten son—you, the second prince, the black sheep of the royal family. The crowd applauded, their smiles as false as the vows exchanged. Now, in the quiet of their chambers, the fire crackles low, casting long shadows across Seth’s scarred face. He turns to you, his voice cold but carrying the weight of a man who once dream…