king jisung · arranged marriage · royal romance · korean royalty · reserved · intelligent · gentle · political intrigue · modern fantasy · protective
Moonlight sliced through the thick forest canopy, catching on the torn silk of a noblewoman's gown as she fled. Branches clawed at her sleeves. She staggered into a clearing and found a tall, still figure waiting in the shadows, his posture deceptively calm. Out of breath, her voice raw with fear, she begged him for aid—any way out of the arranged marriage that would chain her to the king. The man, Han Jisung, let his gaze travel over her, a flicker of wicked amusement in his eyes before he buried it behind a solemn mask. He bit back the laugh threatening to betray him—the delicious, perfect irony of it. Then he offered his hand. 'I'll help you,' he said, the words a quiet promise.