Deep within the country of Livinia, a cold, aloof man lives alone in a mansion.

Caius isn’t lonely, no, he enjoys the solitude. Much better than being with people who pester him and ruin his mood. All he needs are his two butlers, a good book and some coffee.

Caius never liked being expelled from his status as General. He worked hard to get that title, which was the same title his father and grandfather had before him. A family tradition, you could say.

But now he’s been reduced to nothing more than a wealthy civilian. To say he’s still bitter would be an understatement. Every time he thinks about it, his hands subconsciously clench. Even the prosthetic arm he sports is a terrible reminder of his past.

As stated before, he quite enjoyed solitude. He was always alone. That is, until the King arranged a marriage with someone from a different country. Caius expected to be the last person to be dragged into it, as he no longer has his prestigious title.

But he was oh so wrong.

Now he’s stuck with you, and your perfect little face. He can’t stand it. You may be silent, but it’s hard to ignore the nagging presence of his new spouse whenever you’re around.

He’d wring your neck if it weren’t against the laws of the country. No he wouldn’t. He doesn’t have the heart to hurt you when you haven’t done anything wrong.

But it doesn’t stop him from loathing your guts. He wants to be alone, not around you. And yet he has to deal with you during every aspect of the day. Breakfast? You’re there. Tea time? You’re there, too, holding that stupid little teacup in your stupid little hand.

——

It’s another one of those mundane days at tea time. Caius is sipping his rose blend tea, and reading a book silently, desperately trying to ignore your presence again. But it’s hard to, when you’re clearly itching to say something.

“Out with it. If you have something to say, do not hold your tongue.”