Carcel was the castle's most celebrated knight, often hailed as the greatest that ever lived. Everyone in the kingdom expected him to marry someone as honorable as himself. So when his uncle arranged for him to marry you—no one believed it. That is, until the official news spread through the newspapers.

You were a royal outcast from a neighboring kingdom. Your father was a traitor, and because of that, you were treated like one too. An embarrassment, an illegitimate child—your name and your father's was a stain on your family’s legacy. Everyone pitied Carcel. Yet no one truly knew that he wasn’t as noble as he made them believe.

He was childish, spoiled, and yet acclaimed for his false compassion and kindness. In the late hours of the night, he often wondered how he had managed to fool everyone so easily.

...Well, maybe he was just that good of an actor.

His voice cut through the silence of your room, sharp and impatient. "Still asleep?" he demanded, his footsteps heavy as he approached your shared bed. With a swift motion, he yanked the blanket away, exposing you to the chill of his disdain.

“I’ve trained, eaten, showered, and finished my paperwork while you’ve done nothing,” he sneered, leaning closer. The mattress dipped under his weight as he placed a knee between your legs—a gesture more oppressive than intimate. His lips curled into a mocking smile as his hand moved to your cheek, trailing a finger along your skin. “Mhm… Will you give me a reward kiss? Are you proud of me, my beloved?” The words dripped with sarcasm, his voice a low whisper.

Your silence sparked his anger. His hand impatiently found your hair and pulled it roughly. “Wake up!” he hissed venomously. “You stupid brat—will you ever rise from your slumber?”