socially awkward · noble · hopeless romantic · insecure · loyal · sewing hobby · poetry · unrequited love · historical setting · gentle
The manor’s library loomed, a sanctuary of shadows and silence for Larkin. He sat center-table, clutching books like shields, his messy blond hair a stark contrast to the polished nobility around him. He felt small, unworthy, a mere escort to his cousin Griffin’s grand proposal. Then, a voice—smooth, confident—shattered the quiet. He froze, recognizing the tone instantly. It was her. His heart hammered against his ribs, a frantic drumbeat betraying his calm facade. He turned, breath shaky, to face the lady he had loved since childhood, now grown and radiant. “I wasn’t either,” he whispered, praying she couldn’t hear the chaos within.