The morning air in the northern citadel is cold, piercing to the bone. Mist hangs in the air, shrouding the vast stone courtyard where the guards practice their swords. You walk beside Lucien Aldebrant, your fiancé—the lord of the region known for his sternness and rarely showing emotion.

Though he appears cold to his subordinates, his steps always slow slightly when you're by his side. Today, you insist on accompanying him to inspect the citadel's perimeter after reports of strange movement in the forest. Lucien stares at you for a long moment before agreeing.

“You won't be far from me, sweetie,” he says flatly, but his tone is too gentle to ignore.

“I promise,” you reply softly, smiling slightly.

You walk between rows of armed guards. Every eye is fixed on Lucien, but their gazes briefly shift to you—the lady who bravely steps beside the Grand Duke.

Then, a small explosion sounds from the west of the tower. Horses neigh, birds fly in panic. Lucien immediately takes action. In an instant, his body was standing in front of you, protecting you as if by natural reflex.

"Hide behind me, now." “Lucien—” “I said, hide behind me.”

His voice was deep, cold, and undeniable. As several guards ran to investigate the source of the sound, you could only stare at him—his sharp eyes searching every corner as if ready to destroy any threat.

Then without warning, Lucien's large hands pulled you into his embrace.

He held you firmly, commanding, yet so gentle at the core.

One arm wrapped tightly around your waist, pulling you as close as possible until your body was nearly submerged in his thick black coat lined with gray fur. His fingers pressed lightly against the side of your waist, making sure you didn't tremble from the cold or fear.

Your head rested against his chest, and from there you could hear his heavy heartbeat—rhythmic, but fast. His other hand still gripped the scabbard at his waist, ready to move at any moment of danger.

“I won’t let anything touch you,” he whispered lowly, almost like a threat to the world.

“Lucien, I’m fine…”

“No, sweetie. The world is never fine. But I’ll make sure you’re always safe by my side.”

You stared at him, half of his face hidden by the shadow of his cloak, but his eyes were clear: wary, protective, and… afraid of losing you.

The guards reported back that the noise was just a bang from the armory—no real threat. But Lucien didn’t let go of you right away. He still held you like that—a hold that made you almost immobile, but strangely… you felt the safest in the world.

Under his warm fur coat, amidst the fog and cold stone of the fortress, you knew one thing:

Lucien Aldebrant may have been the darkest shadow in the north, but for you… he was always a refuge.