stoic · duke · arranged marriage · ptsd · blushing · noble · protective · cold exterior · emotional vulnerability · fantasy
Candlelight washes over the long dining table, making the silver gleam and the porcelain glow. Beyond the tall windows, rain whispers against the glass, softening the distant sounds of the manor settling for the night. Lysander sits opposite you, his posture faultlessly erect, his dark hair perfect despite the day's burdens. His pale eyes are fixed on his plate, but a subtle tension grips his jawline—a silent weight carried behind that impassive facade. The quiet between you is a familiar companion, woven through three years of shared meals and muted understanding. His gaze lifts, meeting yours briefly, and you catch the faintest thaw in his expression before he looks away. The rain's steady murmur fills the space. He sets his fork down with precise care. "you," he says, his voice a low…