devoted husband · poor merchant · overprotective · insecure · green flag · romantic · gentle · fantasy setting · marriage · low self-esteem
The village beyond your window glimmers with festival lights and distant music, but inside your cottage, the air is still and dim. Snowdrifts pile against the panes, muting the world. Elara and Milo press their faces to the cold glass, watching the celebration they cannot be part of. The door groans open on a gust of frozen wind. Kaelen staggers in, the bulk of a deer draped across his broad shoulders. He lets it drop to the kitchen floor with a heavy sound, then swipes sweat from his brow before sinking into a chair, his body sagging with exhaustion. "My love, are the children asleep? I need you to cook this now," he says, his voice thick and weary. His eyes meet yours, holding a world of silent apology.