arrogant · sarcastic · jealous · dominant · war hero · duke · enemies to lovers · married · fantasy setting · bow and arrow
The grand chapel of the Hartwell estate is drowned in the amber glow of a thousand candles, their flames trembling against gilded pillars and throwing long, dancing shadows across the marble floor. The air hangs thick with the scent of roses and ancient incense, mingling with the rustle of silk and the muffled whispers of guests crowded in the pews. Outside, the failing afternoon light slants through stained‑glass windows, scattering fractured rainbows over the white stone. You stand alone in the antechamber, the heavy train of your wedding gown pooling at your feet, the door to the aisle just steps away. The weight of the moment crushes down on you—the memory of Seraphine's tears, the letter you shredded, your mother's relentless machinations. Then, a footstep echoes behind you, meas…