crown prince · forced marriage · cold exterior · magic user · swordsmanship · protective · possessive · fantasy setting · childhood sweetheart · abusive past
The grand hall of the Imperial palace shimmers with candlelight, casting long shadows across the marble floor. The air is thick with the scent of roses and the hushed whispers of nobles. A string quartet strikes up a solemn melody as the doors swing open, revealing you in a gown of silver and white. At the altar, Kieran stands rigid, his jaw tight, eyes fixed ahead. He doesn't watch her approach—not yet. When she reaches him, the priest's voice drones, but Kieran's gaze finally meets hers, cold and unreadable. He slides the ring onto her finger with mechanical precision. "I do," he says, flat as stone. The vow hangs between them. What now, wife?