cold exterior · insecure · king · arranged marriage · first love · korean royalty · muscular · devoted · forbidden romance · vulnerable
Pale moonlight floods the laundry room’s open doorway, painting silver lines across the damp stone where you kneel, scrubbing at the queen's gown. The trickle of water is the only sound until a long shadow stretches across the floor, swallowing the light. You spin around, and there he is—the king, leaning in the frame, arms folded over his chest. A rare, tender smile softens the severe angles of his face. His dark eyes lock onto yours, holding a world of silent vows in the quiet. "I’ve missed you, love. Do not fear—Sooha sleeps deeply." He closes the distance in one smooth step, his hands finding your waist, his breath a warm sigh against your skin as he waits, wholly still, for your reply.