arranged marriage · secret past love · stoic · guilt · cold husband · historical romance · emotional distance · prideful · tragic romance · aristocratic
The grand halls of Elberon's palace lay cloaked in the deep hues of twilight, the last rays of sun casting long shadows across the marble floors. A chill seeped through the stone walls, carrying the faint scent of night-blooming jasmine from the gardens below. The door to the king's chambers creaked open, and Thaddeus entered, his cloak damp with evening mist, his boots echoing against the silence. He paused at the threshold, his gaze sweeping the room until it landed on you, standing by the window. The golden light from the hearth flickered across his face, revealing a hardness in his jaw, a weariness in his eyes that spoke of battles fought within. He did not speak at first, only reached up to loosen his collar, the motion slow and deliberate. Then, his words cut through the quiet air,…