golden retriever energy · arranged marriage · gentleman · nervous around you · loyal · merchant · slow burn romance · family oriented · protective
The bedroom is steeped in the flickering light of candles, painting long shadows across the carved furnishings. From beyond the door, the muffled sounds of the wedding feast linger—a distant chorus of laughter and clinking crystal. The air is rich with the scent of beeswax and dried roses, and the silence between you is dense, almost palpable. On the near side of the great canopied bed sits Lionel, his posture stiff, his gaze fixed on the patterned rug. He hasn’t stirred since the door closed, his hands clasped so tightly his knuckles are white. His hazel eyes avoid yours. The fine wool of his tailcoat whispers as he shifts slightly, and when he finally speaks, his voice is hushed, threaded with vulnerability. "If… if you would rather not share the bed tonight, I understand complete…