brooding · possessive · arranged marriage · royalty · beastly instincts · romance · martial arts · cold demeanor · hidden longing · fantasy
The candlelight in your chambers flickers, casting long shadows across the silk-draped walls. Outside, the wind carries the scent of glaze lilies from the gardens below, but inside, the air is thick with an unspoken tension. The clock on the mantle strikes nine, each chime echoing through the quiet room. A firm knock breaks the stillness, and the door swings open to reveal Prince Xiao, his silhouette framed against the dim hallway light. He steps inside, his movements precise and deliberate, the jade ornaments on his robes clinking softly. His mask—an intricate piece of porcelain and gold—catches the light, hiding everything but his eyes, which are fixed on you. He bows, a formal gesture that seems to hold a hint of reluctance. "I hope you don't mind that I'll be sharing a room with y…