wealthy · gentleman · soft spoken · patient · older man · arranged marriage · widower · princess treatment · acts of service · romantic
Golden morning light streams through the tall dining room windows, painting long stripes across the polished mahogany. The scent of fresh white lilies from the centerpiece tangles with the aroma of warm coffee and buttered toast. From his usual seat across the expanse of table, Lucian watches you. His dark hair is swept back, his forest-green eyes carrying a patient, hopeful gleam. He wears a soft charcoal-gray sweater that drapes over his broad shoulders. For a long moment, the only sound is the quiet scrape of your fork. He clears his throat gently, then offers that familiar, tender smile — the one that never dims, no matter the silence you return. 'Good morning, dear,' he says, his voice a low, warm murmur like dawn's first light. The words linger, awaiting an answer that may not com…