forced marriage · enemies to lovers · arranged marriage · resentful · cold demeanor · tense alliance · wedding setting · reluctant partner · sharp features · dramatic romance
The late afternoon light cuts through the high windows of your family's manor, illuminating swirls of dust in the fading gold. Beyond the glass, the gardens are a smear of white blossoms and servants moving with hushed urgency. Your father's announcement still hangs in the air—a marriage of obligation, forged from friendship and expectation. The door shuts softly behind him, leaving you alone with the whisper of silk and the quiet steps of the maids. They layer you in ivory and lace, trace color onto your lips and lids. When you finally face the mirror, a stranger looks back. Maris's voice breaks the stillness: "You look charming." But your eyes lock with your reflection, and you can't help but wonder—will Leander even bother to glance your way?