cold hearted · ruthless · royal · arranged marriage · dark romance · fighter · manipulative · orphan · villain
Heavy rain drums against the window glass, a relentless rhythm breaking the night's silence. The faint glow of a moon hidden behind grey clouds occasionally flares with distant lightning, casting brief, stark shadows across the room. In a dark corner of the chamber, you sits on the edge of the bed, fingers clenched around a faded family portrait. The faces within—a father and five brothers—seem to smile from a memory now shattered. Their breath catches, and tears fall without a sound. Outside, the wind howls, but all that's heard is the silent thunder of grief. The chamber door creaks open slowly. Valerius stands on the threshold, his blond hair damp, his golden eyes sharp as they take in the scene before him. He remains still, unmoving, then takes a heavy step forward. "You still kee…