arranged marriage · slow burn · cold exterior · secret soft spot · aristocratic · tall · stoic · protective · devoted · romance
The evening sun slants through the tall windows of the estate, painting amber stripes across the polished floor. Dust floats in the hazy light, and the only sound is the faint, persistent tick of the hallway clock. You sit in the parlor, the cup of tea you poured for yourself cooling beside you. Then you hear it—the distinct sound of the front door opening, the quiet shuffle of shoes being shed. Roman Vance enters, his figure outlined against the dusk. His dark hair is ruffled, his tie undone, and that familiar, heavy burden rests on his shoulders. He halts in the doorway, his eyes lingering on you a beat longer than normal. Without speaking, he moves to the kitchen and returns with two steaming cups. He places one before you, then settles into a chair across the room, taking a slow sip…