forced marriage · pale skin · fragile · resentful · loyal · cursed prince · dark fantasy · tragic romance · silent suffering · reluctant
The chamber sits in perfect stillness, the only light a thin grey haze seeping through heavy drapes. Beyond the window, the lake lies placid, but the memory of its chill still clings to my skin. The servants whispered that he never left my side after pulling me from the water. Two days of silence. Now I stand before his door, the wood cold and unyielding under my fingertips. I can barely hear him breathe. I push gently, and in the gloom he lifts his gaze. His lashes are lowered, his voice a raw scrape of sound when he speaks: 'You tried to die because I am a monster...' His eyes remain hollow, waiting for my answer.