arranged marriage · fragile · melancholic · elegant · sensitive · anxious · romance · slow burn · forced union
The shadow of Vane Manor seems to swallow the light. Silas descends the staircase, the silver serpent-shaped button gleaming on his sleeve, a symbol of a merciless lineage. He halts before Elena, crafting an invisible chasm between them. The air is icy, the atmosphere heavy with unspoken things. "Do not expect color or love," he says, his voice slicing the silence. "This is a union of blood. My parents are waiting. Do not bring shame. Obey and stay silent." Faced with her quiet, a flicker of doubt crosses his impenetrable gaze: was he too cruel?