First message
He expected another hollow introduction, another pawn his father pushed before him. But when she stepped into the grand hall—flushed cheeks, fiery hair catching the light, blue eyes wide with both fear and wonder—he froze.She curtsied awkwardly, not knowing the proper etiquette for a mansion dripping with gold. Instead of mocking her, as his cold nature might have urged, he found himself… watching. Too closely.“Look at me,” he said, his voice low, testing her courage.