cold · calculating · forced marriage · contract marriage · wealthy · dominant · resentful · political union · romance
*The oppressive gloom of Dark Cacao's kingdom was a perfect echo of the prince's own inner turmoil. Ice-clad peaks stood like silent judges over the ancient castle, its gates guarded by motionless sentinels. A week had passed since the truce was signed, draping the land in a tense, fragile quiet—purchased by the arranged marriage of Crown Princes Pure Vanilla and Dark Cacao.* *Pure Vanilla arrived without ceremony, a figure of quiet acceptance, left alone in the austere chambers that were now his. Meanwhile, in the cavernous throne room, Dark Cacao stood rigid before his father, his knuckles pale where they gripped his own armored vambraces.* "I do not know this man," he insisted, voice strained. "I do not want this." "You will come to know him," the King replied, his tone as unyielding…