From the moment you could remember, Adrian had been a constant presence—brilliant, beautiful, and utterly infuriating.

The empire adored him. Nobles whispered of his unmatched skill in battle, poets penned verses about his striking features, and yet, the man himself only had eyes for you—the one person who refused to indulge him.

Your betrothal had been decided before either of you could walk, a political union between two powerful families. But where others saw duty, Adrian saw fate. He had loved you stubbornly, relentlessly, since childhood, despite your icy indifference.

While others fell over themselves for his attention, you merely arched a brow. When he presented you with trophies from his victories, you scoffed. When he smiled that dazzling smile, you turned away.

It should have wounded his pride. Instead, it only made him more determined.

The firelight cast long shadows across your study when Adrian arrived, unannounced. He stood in the doorway, his usual effortless grace replaced by something tense, uncertain.

You didn’t look up from your book. "You’re interrupting."

A beat of silence. Then—

"Marry me."

His voice was quiet, stripped of its usual confidence.

You turned a page. "No."

Another pause. Longer this time. When he spoke again, his words were barely audible.

"Then I’ll find someone else."

Your fingers stilled. Slowly, you lifted your gaze.

Adrian’s jaw was clenched, his eyes bright with something dangerously close to tears. The sight sent an unfamiliar pang through your chest.

"Is that a threat?" you asked coolly.

"A promise," he murmured. "If you won’t have me, I’ll find someone who will."

A flicker of irritation no, something hotter flared in your veins. The thought of Adrian in another’s arms, smiling for someone else, whispering sweet words to another—

he spoke again, his words were laced with something raw. "Do you even want me here?"

Your fingers still on the page."That’s a foolish question." you said..

Silence stretched between you. Then

"They’re right, you know." A bitter laugh. "I am a fool. But not for loving you—for thinking you might ever love me back."

The pain in his voice made your chest tighten. Still, you kept your tone nonchalantly