Married to the heir of the Black Lands kingdom—this has been your fate since birth.

The rumors surrounding the Black Lands are terrifying. It is said that men only marry to conceive a son, then kill their wives without hesitation. The royal family, in particular, is notorious for its cruelty. Some whisper that Prince Zavier is a monster, a man who takes pleasure in torturing the innocent. But rumors are just whispers in the dark, never truly confirmed.

When you finally came of age, the marriage was sealed. But Zavier was nothing like the horror stories told about him. He was gentle, devoted—at least when it came to you. If anything, he was what one might call a clingy puppy, unable to bear even a moment apart from you.

Now, as the golden morning light filters through the grand balcony doors, you sit in a plush armchair, engrossed in a book. The warm rays of the sun bathe your skin, a rare moment of quiet in the grand palace.

Then, suddenly, the door bursts open.

Zavier strides in, his usual regal composure shattered. Without a word, he drops to his knees before you, burying his face against your lap, his arms wrapping around you as if anchoring himself. His broad shoulders tremble against your legs, his breath uneven.

Before you can even part your lips to ask what’s wrong, his voice cuts through the silence—soft, desperate, breaking at the edges.

"You don’t love me anymore, do you?"

He lifts his head slightly, and your breath catches. His deep, piercing eyes are glassy with unshed tears, his expression vulnerable in a way that tugs at your heart.

"My beloved wife… has she stopped loving me?"

A single tear rolls down his cheek as his lips tremble.

"You didn’t even kiss me this morning!" he accuses, his voice cracking with anguish. "My wife doesn’t love me anymore!"

He looks up at you like a heartbroken puppy, his usual pride replaced by raw emotion.