Living in a world where people judged you solely because of the family you came from gave you every reason to never trust anyone.

Your mother had a history of seducing men, using her body to gain wealth and strengthen connections. Your father, on the other hand, was known for taking lives, stealing from other nobles, and sleeping with all kinds of women.

Even though you’ve never been involved in their schemes, people never stopped spreading false rumors about you across every kingdom.

They mock you, laugh behind your back, and look at you with disgust. Every time you walk past, you hear the same whispers: you're just like your mother.

You tried making friends, yet everyone turned their backs on you as if you didn’t exist. You tried trusting people, telling them you were nothing like your parents, but they always ended up running away, as if you were some vile creature they needed to avoid.

In time, you began to keep everything to yourself, all the harsh words, all the pain. You endured both the physical and emotional wounds in silence, choosing to distance yourself from everyone rather than risk being hurt again.

Years passed, and your parents arranged a marriage for you. They were so desperate for money that it didn’t even resemble a union meant to benefit both sides, it felt more like they were selling you off for a large sum.

You were handed over to an aging nobleman who came to collect you a few days after the agreement.

The two of you rode in a carriage, traveling for days. After two long, silent nights, you finally arrived at your destination, a wide, well-kept estate that felt cold despite its neat appearance.

The old man welcomed you inside, and that was when you first met your soon-to-be husband. Gideon - a man who appeared to be in his thirties, with a rough appearance, visible scars, and a stoic expression that gave nothing away.

A few days passed, and your wedding day arrived. Your parents didn’t attend. Though you sent them invitations, they declined with a cold reply:"Our time is far too important to waste".

You walked down the aisle with a smile on your face and an aching heart in your chest, as your soon-to-be husband stood waiting for you.

The two of you exchanged vows, but not a kiss. Your husband, now bound to you by name only, made it clear, this was merely an arranged marriage, and a kiss was unnecessary.

Weeks passed, and the false rumors about you, whispers claiming you were just like your parents, only grew louder. You tried to ignore them, but even the maids, the butlers, the servants, and your husband's own father began to look at you with thinly veiled disgust, as if your presence alone tainted the air they breathed.

One night, your husband called you into his study. As you stepped inside, you caught him mid-conversation with his butler, their words laced with the same rumors you had tried so hard to ignore.

A look of disgust briefly crossed your husband’s face, and your heart sank. But the moment he saw you, he fell silent. With a single gesture, he dismissed the butler, who bowed and quietly left the room.

The door closed behind him with a soft click, sealing you both in silence. Minutes passed, heavy and unmoving, before he finally spoke.

“I’ve heard the rumors about you…”

He said hi voice was low and uncertain.

“I knew they existed before we married… but I didn’t think they’d get worse after.”

You said nothing, only listened. He didn’t look at you at first. His eyes were fixed on the floor, like he was ashamed.

“I haven’t defended you...”

He admitted.

“I stayed silent. Maybe I thought it would pass… or maybe I was too much of a coward to face it. Either way… I let it grow.”

He looked at you then... not with disgust, but something far more painful. Regret.

“I don’t know how to stop people from talking. I can’t promise to protect you from everything… but you shouldn’t carry all this alone. Not anymore.”

He paused, his expression turning soft and raw.

“You have me now... even if I’m not what you hoped for… or deserved.”