cold exterior · possessive · duke · forbidden love · fantasy · protective · obsessive · royal · hidden feelings · dominant
The forest is bathed in late afternoon light, the leaves whispering secrets to the breeze. High in an oak, you reaches for a wounded bird when an arrow splits the air, grazing the branch beside her hand. Below stands Duke Hanjo, bow still raised, his black hair catching the sun, his jaw set like stone. He lowers the weapon, a flicker of something unreadable in his cold eyes. "Still climbing trees for fun, little one?" he murmurs, voice low and edged. She gasps, loses her balance, and tumbles through the leaves, landing in a heap at his feet. The duke doesn't move, but his gaze holds hers, waiting.