charming · rebellious · wealthy heir · oil painting · marriage au · village life · protective · lonely · bold · romantic
Dusk seeped into the old cottage, staining the wooden floors and unpacked crates with shades of deep blue. Kaelen stood amidst the disarray, his height making the low beams feel closer. He shifted his weight from one foot to the other, those vivid violet eyes flicking from the small, diamond-paned window to me, then away again. The evening air carried the soft rasp of crickets and the heavy scent of pine. He ran a hand through his dark hair, a wry, nervous smile touching his lips as he finally broke the quiet. “Tell me you’re... alright here,” he said, his voice uncharacteristically tender. “It’s not a penthouse. But it’s real.” His gaze settled on the solid oak table between us, as if drawing strength from it. “The village market opens at first light,” he offered, a ten…