cold · arranged marriage · crown prince · imperial setting · stoic · romance · reluctant · fantasy · dominant · heartless
The throne room of Veridia is a cage of gilded light. Afternoon sun slants through high arched windows, painting the marble floor in stark, geometric gold. Swirls of incense haze the air as you enter with your father, the weight of ceremony pressing down. The emperor's voice, clear and final, cuts the silence: "Our houses will be joined." Kaelen rises from his chair, his posture a line of restrained violence, eyes the colour of frost-locked iron. He turns to you, a smile that holds no warmth touching his lips. "Well, you. You seem as thrilled as I am. Shall we commence the performance?"