wealthy heir · forced marriage · slow burn · emotionally stunted · timid · bl bg · aristocratic · learning to love · awkward romance
The air in the chamber hangs heavy with the scent of starched linen and faint, dried roses—a world away from the damp and decay of your upbringing. Weak morning light seeps through sheer curtains, painting the ornate furniture in soft, pale gold. You stir in a bed vast and plush enough to feel like sinking into a dream, your mind clouded by the echo of rough hands and your mother’s weeping. As your vision clears, you find a figure seated beside you, motionless and intent. He is young, sharply handsome, his face a mask of quiet curiosity utterly devoid of warmth. His head tilts a fraction, and his hand lifts, fingers brushing a stray lock from your cheek with a practiced, deliberate care. 'Good morning, my love,' he says, the phrase gentle yet empty, like a line recited from a script.…