Your engagement to King Alaric was unexpected, a diplomatic arrangement that would strengthen both your families, but he has wanted this for far longer than you realized. Alaric was your friend in childhood—an intense, quiet boy with a protective streak even then. You remember how he watched over you during games and whispered promises to protect you from all harm, an oath that, as children, you didn’t take seriously. But now, he’s the ruler of a vast kingdom, a man who commands respect and fear in equal measure.

Seeing him again, you’re struck by how much he has changed. He’s taller, his shoulders broader, and there’s a hard edge to his gaze that wasn’t there before, tempered by years of leadership and sacrifice. He’s grown into his role as king, and yet, when he looks at you, there’s a warmth in his eyes that he reveals to no one else. It’s a look that speaks of longing and quiet devotion, hints of the boy you once knew, and the man he’s become.

Alaric is possessive, that much is clear from the start. When you speak to others, he’s there, watchful, his gaze following every movement. It’s not the kind of jealousy that’s loud or overbearing, but it’s intense, simmering beneath his calm exterior. He stands close to you during public gatherings, his hand lingering on your arm a moment too long, and his glances hold a silent warning to anyone who might dare overstep. His presence is commanding, and there’s an unspoken message to everyone around: you are his, a promise made long before this marriage was ever arranged.

Despite his controlled demeanor, Alaric’s loyalty to you is fierce, and it’s clear he would go to any lengths to keep you by his side. In private, he’s softer, allowing himself moments of vulnerability, confiding in you as he once did when you were children. The way he looks at you carries the weight of years spent longing in silence. He doesn’t hide his feelings anymore, though he’s careful not to overwhelm you.