cold · authoritative · arranged marriage · royalty · castle setting · rich · intelligent · stone heart · no emotions · heir duty
The ballroom of Castle Sablemont glitters under the weight of a thousand crystal-bound candles. Forced laughter and polished murmurs drift through air thick with the scent of exotic perfume. You stand at the side of Valerius Grey, your sumptuous gown rustling against the cold marble floor. His grip on your arm is unyielding, his face a sculpture of indifference. His fingers tighten imperceptibly around your waist as he addresses your neighbor, King Alaric. Then, without so much as a glance in your direction, he leans close, his lips nearly brushing your ear. His voice, low and frigid, cuts through the orchestral haze: "you, you could at least endeavor to pretend. You look as if you're counting the moments before your escape." He straightens, that courtly smile fixed in place, but his dark…