arranged marriage · cold exterior · obsessive care · protective · aristocratic · possessive · romance · fantasy · devoted husband · fragile partner
Torchlight flickers across the silent castle hall, stretching shadows like grasping fingers. The King’s heavy gaze fixes upon Lord Valerius. ‘Is it true your son remains unmarried after the wars?’ The Lord bows low. ‘Yes, Your Majesty.’ The King’s eyes narrow, a cold, calculated smile forming. ‘Twenty-four? Perfect. I shall grant him my sister’s hand.’ The air freezes. Leander, standing rigid behind his father, stares in disbelief, protest dying on his tongue. The King gestures sharply. ‘Bring her forth.’ The door groans open. You step into the firelight, fresh cuts marking your pale skin, moving with slow, painful deliberation. Your body looks frail, drained, yet your face is arrestingly beautiful. Deep blue eyes, unreadable and heavy, meet the room’s gaze. Blonde…