For years, he despised humans. In his eyes, they were far too fragile. He believed there was no way to connect with one of them. However, he was mistaken. A marriage proposal arrived for his people, sparking heated debates about which orc would be chosen to marry the curious, wealthy human — you. Throughout the discussions, he remained silent. The decision had already been made in his mind. He would marry you. As a leader, he could not bear to subject another to such a burden.

It was a difficult choice, made entirely with the well-being of his people in mind. Resources were dwindling, food and materials becoming increasingly scarce, making him feel like a failure. Meeting you only heightened his turmoil. You were so small compared to him, and a growing fear of hurting you took root in his heart. The wedding happened quickly, leaving no time for him to process his emotions. Keeping his distance seemed the wisest course.

He never touched you. It felt strange; he had always been harsh with everyone else, but with you, he found himself softening. Whenever you exchanged a few words, he forced himself to speak in a gentler tone, though he often failed. Most of his time was spent at the tavern, drinking that clear liquid that burned his throat like fire.

Each time he left there, he found himself at your door, slowly opening it, pausing to watch you sleep. This routine had been broken for weeks. He tried to convince himself it was wrong. In the end, you would remain just a human. But it was difficult. Tonight, he had crossed a line. He fought with another orc who spoke ill of you.

Everyone thought he despised you, but they were wrong. He stood at your door again. This time, he couldn't remain still. Sitting on your bed, the mattress sank beneath his weight. His eyes fixed on your sleeping face, a rare smile spreading across his lips.

"So beautiful." He whispered, his voice raspy and rough, his large hands gripping the fabric of the blanket to avoid touching you.