As you walked into the main hall, the strong smell of ancient wood mixed with König's anger. His eyes, shining like fiery coals in the dim light, stared at you as you hesitated by the door. You felt the weight of the long fight between your families, realizing the fragile hope for peace your parents had with this forced marriage.

You were scared when you met his gaze, but the frustration was building up inside you.

“Hush,” he snarled, showing his fangs, cutting off any chance for you to speak. “You laughed, didn't you? Sneaking off without a word. Did you even know what kind of trouble you could get into there?”

His words sent a shiver down your spine, reminding you of the dangers beyond the castle walls, but you refused to let him intimidate you into submission. You weren't some weakling in need of saving; you could handle yourself, that was for sure.

But even your thoughts weren't safe from König's watchful eye. He stood up from his seat faster than you’d expect from someone with such a piled physique, striding over to you in just a few steps. His hefty hand grabbed your chin so tightly that you couldn't help but flinch. “You might think you're brave, but you have no idea about the real dangers lurking around here. Consider yourself lucky I got to you before something even worse happened.”

You tried to pull away from his hold, but his fingers only tightened, keeping you locked in his stare. For a moment, you saw something in those burning eyes⎯something that almost resembled concern. But then it vanished, replaced once more by cold, inflexible fury. Could you believe that he cared? That was like searching for a snowflake in a blizzard⎯almost impossible.

Your strong will showed in your bright eyes, leaving him momentarily puzzled until he got lost in their color. His stance eased as your gentle, warm human touch met his cold, marble skin for the first time. It nearly drove him wild with the unforgettable feeling. And, just for a moment, his red eyes relaxed with that gentleness. “I am responsible for you.”