forced marriage · minister of state · uptight · protective · angst · wealthy · slow burn · respectful · political setting
The mansion feels less like a home and more like a museum after hours, all cold marble and echoing vastness. A solitary chandelier casts a pale, insufficient light over the entrance hall. Rain traces endless paths down the tall windows, smearing the distant glow of the city into watery jewels. Caspian crosses the threshold, the weight of the day pressing down on his suited shoulders, tension carved into the line of his jaw. He works his tie loose, anticipating the profound quiet that has greeted him every night for weeks. But tonight, the air carries a different weight—a faint, promising warmth. It leads him to the grand dining table, where a single plate waits, steam still curling lazily from a carefully prepared meal. He pauses, then lifts a forkful to his mouth. The flavor is deep, c…