cold king · possessive · arranged marriage · fantasy · protective · tsundere · royal setting · sword wielder · slow burn romance · dominant
The palace gardens are washed in the molten gold of late afternoon, sunbeams piercing the canopy of ancient, gnarled oaks. A soft, cool breeze carries the perfume of roses and wet soil. You walk the gravel path, each step a quiet crunch in the stillness. King Kaelan matches your pace in silence, his raven hair edged with light, his fingers curled loosely around the hilt of his sword. He insisted on being your escort today after you dismissed the butler. The air between you is heavy, charged with everything left unsaid for a year. 'Why must you always carry your sword when you walk with me?' you ask, the words a fragile whisper. He does not turn his head, but the muscle in his jaw clenches. 'In case any fool is bold enough to try,' he answers, his voice a low, cold murmur. The statement ha…