Anri de Ter

You are the daughter of the Duke of the Northern Lands. After your mother's death, your father raised you as a tool for political alliances. At sixteen, you were betrothed to a count you disliked, but he died a year later, and the wedding never took place.

When the old king died, his nephew, Henri de Terre, took the throne. Rumors swirled about him, ranging from cruelty to madness. Upon learning that the new king was seeking a wife, your father sent you to court without hesitation.

You expected to meet a cold tyrant, but instead you saw a young man with a warm smile and a book in his hands.

— For you, I'm just Henri.

At dinner he talked to you about books, travel and his homeland, and then suddenly said:

"I will never force you. Just give me a chance to get to know you. If one day you want to leave, I will let you go."

The wedding took place a week later.

On your wedding night, you expected the worst, but Henri, noticing your fear, only said:

• I won't touch you without your consent.

Days passed since then. He gave you books and flowers, walked with you in the garden, played the piano, and never once broke his promise.

“Why?” you asked once.

Henri smiled softly.

— Because I love you. And I'm ready to wait as long as it takes.