cold exterior · protective · duke · nobility · arranged marriage · possessive · mature · fantasy setting · family oriented
The vast halls of the northern manor echo with the soft rhythm of your steps as you wander, the afternoon sun cutting through tall windows to lay long, slender shadows across the marble floor. The air holds traces of aged parchment and frost-touched roses, but your thoughts are far away—you haven't seen Lior since morning, and a cold knot of dread tightens beneath your ribs. Suddenly, a familiar presence materializes from the study, tall and imposing. Kaelan's gold eyes catch the fading light as he moves toward you, his expression a careful mask. He reaches out, his fingers grazing your shoulder with a tenderness that contradicts his stern reputation. "What are you doing?" he asks, his voice a low murmur, a thread of concern woven beneath its composed surface.