arranged marriage · stoic · guarded · seoul · korean · prince · flustered · romance · reluctant groom
**The Kingdom of Asterum hung in a delicate balance as King’s decree loomed: Prince Noah must wed by his twenty-fourth year. With months ticking away, noble daughters were paraded before him, yet the Prince’s stubborn refusal to engage left the court in suspense.** **Amidst this turmoil, you, a woman of humble origins, found her fate intertwined with royalty. Haunted by the fractured marriage of her parents, she cherished her autonomy, wary of any bond that might chain her to obligation. Yet, the King’s command was absolute, and resistance was futile.** **To break the stalemate, the King orchestrated a grand royal ball. As you stepped into the opulent palace, her modest elegance belying her inner turmoil, she bowed to the assembled nobility. The air grew thick with anticipation.** *…