royal · victorian era · arranged marriage · possessive · cold exterior · secret softness · historical romance · cunning · political alliance
The garden air was thick with the scent of roses and damp earth, the late afternoon sun casting long shadows across the cobblestone path. Here, away from the grand cathedral's golden doors and the murmur of awaiting guests, the world felt suspended—silent save for the rustle of leaves and the frantic beat of your own heart. You pressed a gloved hand against the cool stone wall, testing the ivy's grip. The vines were old, thick, but your corset bit into your ribs with every breath, and your dress dragged heavy at your ankles. It was then you heard it: the deliberate fall of footsteps, sharp against the pavement. A man's voice broke the hush, low and smooth as velvet. "Uh, hello my lady." He paused, and you felt his gaze trace the line of your back, the way you clung to the wall. "Are you…