My Cold Husband, General Gideon
introduction
Felicity (The Female Lead)
Background: The eldest daughter of a fallen noble house from the coastal regions. Her family’s wealth dried up, leading to this arranged marriage to secure her siblings' future.
Personality: Graceful, observant, and surprisingly resilient. She hides her anxiety behind a mask of perfect etiquette.
Gideon (The Male Lead)
Background: A high-ranking Commander in the Fravian Border Guard. He spent ten years in the snowy trenches, making him more comfortable with a sword than a conversation.
Personality: Stoic, blunt, and socially awkward. He didn't want a wife because he fears his dangerous lifestyle will only bring her pain,
Giselle (The Sister-in-Law)
Role: Gideon’s younger, spirited sister.
Personality: Playful, witty, and a bit of a rebel. She finds the tension between Felicity and Gideon hilarious and often makes "teasing" comments to push them together.
Lady Fauna (The Mother-in-Law)
Role: The Matriarch of the manor.
Personality: Warm but authoritative. She is a "traditionalist" who believes a happy home is built on a full stomach and a busy schedule. She is thrilled to have Felicity because she wants Gideon to finally "soften up."
first morning
.
🌍 The Setting: Fravia
A northern kingdom known for its towering pine forests, silver-ore mines, and constant mist. The culture prizes discipline, early rising, and traditional family structures.
The sunlight in Fravia was never warm; it was a pale, silver light that filtered through heavy grey clouds, illuminating the frost on the windowpanes. Felicity pulled the heavy silk duvet up to her chin, her eyes fluttering open to the sight of an unfamiliar, gilded ceiling. The realization hit her like a splash of icy water—she was married.
She turned her head slightly on the pillow, her gaze landing on the velvet sofa across the room. There lay Gideon, his long frame cramped into a space clearly not meant for a man of his stature. His breath was steady, a low rhythm that filled the quiet room
Felicity slipped out of bed quietly, her bare feet hitting the cold marble floor. She moved toward the wardrobe, selecting a nourished, deep-emerald gown—a dress that looked rich and healthy against her skin, cinched with a gold belt. After braiding her hair with trembling fingers, she took one last look at the sleeping stranger who was now her husband.
She tiptoed out of the room, her dress rustling softly against the stone corridor as she made her way toward the scent of boiling tea and toasted spices
In the heart of the manor’s kitchen, the air was thick with steam. Lady Fauna, her mother-in-law, was gesturing with a wooden spoon while Giselle, Gideon's younger sister, sat at the wooden island peeling bright orange fruit.
ml mom
"He didn't even try the silk sheets, I'm sure of it," Lady Fauna was saying, her voice a mix of amusement and worry. "That boy is as stubborn as a Fravian mule.
ml sister
Giselle laughed, tossing a piece of fruit into her mouth. "He’s probably terrified, Mother. Imagine waking up to a wife when you’ve spent your whole life in a barracks."
Felicity cleared her throat softly as she stepped into the light. Both women turned, eyes widening in surprise.
ml mom
Oh, Felicity! You're up so early!" Lady Fauna exclaimed, wiping her hands on her apron. "You don't need to be awake for hours yet, dear. The sun has barely climbed the pines."
felicity (fl)
It’s okay, Ma’am. I’m used to waking up early; the dawn is my favorite time."
ml sister
Yeah, Mom, she might be a morning person. Look how put-together she is!
ml mom
That’s great! We need someone to help with the household chores around here."
felicity (fl)
I’d love to help, Ma’am. Please, tell me what I can do.
ml mom
First, we must feed the men. Gideon is still dead to the world, isn't he?"
felicity (fl)
He was... sleeping quite soundly on the sofa when I left."
ml sister
On the sofa? On his wedding night? He's a bigger idiot than I thought."
ml sister
Giselle! Don't tease your sister-in-law. Go, Felicity, wake him up."
felicity (fl)
Now? Right now?"
ml mom
Yes, dear. A marriage starts with a shared meal. It's tradition in Fravia."
ml sister
Good luck. He’s like a bear if you wake him up too fast."
ml mom
Just tell him the tea is steeping. That usually works."
felicity (fl)
I'll try my best to be gentle.
felicity (fl)
"I will try that. Thank you."
ml mom
And Felicity? You look lovely in that green."
felicity (fl)
Thank you, Ma'am. It was a gift from my mother."
ml mom
We'll have the eggs ready by the time you're back down.
felicity (fl)
I'll be quick. I promise."
ml mom
Take your time, dear. He's your husband now
ml mom
Lady Fauna’s face softened instantly, a glow of genuine warmth spreading across her features. "Hear that, Giselle? A daughter-in-law with discipline! I feared we'd have a socialite who slept until noon
ml sister
Giselle grinned, leaning her chin on her hand. "Yeah, Mom, she might just be a morning person. Or maybe she’s just trying to escape Gideon’s snoring?"
Felicity walked back to the master suite, her heart drumming a frantic rhythm against her ribs. She stood before the heavy oak door for a full minute before turning the handle.
Inside, the room was still dim. Gideon hadn't moved. She approached the sofa slowly, stopping a few feet away.
felicity (fl)
Oh no, how do I actually do this? Do I just shake him? If I call him 'Husband,' I might actually die of embarrassment. That sounds like something out of a formal history book. 'Gideon?' No, that feels too bold for our first morning. Maybe 'Sir'? No, that’s even weirder. Okay, Felicity, get a grip. Just a cough. A polite, 'I'm-not-staring-at-you' cough."
felicity (fl)
She straightened her dress and let out a small, dainty cough. "Ahem
Nothing.
She coughed again, slightly louder this time, and shifted her weight so her shoes clicked on the floor.
Gideon bolted upright, his hand instinctively reaching for a sword that wasn't there. His eyes were sharp, dark, and utterly confused.
gideon(ml)
Who are you? What are you doing in my quarters?" he demanded, his voice gravelly with sleep.
felicity (fl)
Felicity froze, her breath catching in her throat.
gideon(ml)
Gideon blinked, the fog of sleep lifting. He looked at Felicity, then at the ring on his own finger, then back at the sofa he was currently falling off of. "Oh... God. Right. Sorry. I'm... I'm married. I forgot for a second. Truly, I am sorry.
felicity (fl)
It's okay," Felicity whispered, stepping back to give him space. "Your mother asked me to wake you. Please, go and freshen up. You should eat your breakfast before it gets cold."
gideon(ml)
Right. Breakfast," Gideon muttered, rubbing the back of his neck. ---
Gideon stood up, his tall frame dwarfing the small breakfast table near the window. Instead of heading for the washbasin immediately, he reached into a silver case on the side table. He pulled out a long, hand-rolled cigarette. With a flick of a match, he lit it, inhaling deeply as he stared out at the grey Fravian sky.
felicity (fl)
*saw him with cigarette** felt sad*
.
The breakfast table was a spread of Fravian delicacies, but the centerpiece was a tureen of steaming, golden vegetable soup. Felicity had spent the early dawn hours in the kitchen, carefully balancing the herbs to create a broth that was both light and nourishing
General Gideon’s father, Lord Gerard, sat at the head of the table. He was a man of few words, his face etched with the lines of many years spent in the Fravian courts. He lifted a spoonful of the soup, tasted it, and paused.
ml dad
This is exceptional," Lord Gerard remarked, his voice echoing in the quiet hall. "Who prepared the kitchen this morning? The seasoning is perfect."
ml sister
Giselle grinned, nudging Felicity with her elbow. "It wasn't the cook, Father. Felicity was up before the sun. She made the entire batch herself."
ml dad
Is that so?" Lord Gerard looked at Felicity with newfound respect. "A lady of your standing knowing her way around a stove is a rare and honorable thing. You have a gift, my dear.
ml mom
Lady Fauna beamed with pride. "She’s a natural, Gerard. We are lucky to have her.
felicity (fl)
Felicity felt a warm blush creep up her neck. "Thank you, Lord Gerard. I only wanted to contribute to the household
Just as the atmosphere began to soften, Gideon entered the room. He was already dressed in his stiff military overcoat, his gloves tucked into his belt. He didn't sit down.
gideon(ml)
I’m heading to the garrison," Gideon announced, his voice flat. "I have reports to finalize regarding the northern border."
ml dad
Lord Gerard’s expression soured instantly. He slammed his spoon down on the table. "Reports? Gideon, you were married yesterday! Do you have no sense of propriety? A man takes leave to be with his wife, not to hide in a dusty office."
gideon(ml)
The border doesn't care about my marriage certificate, Father," Gideon replied coldly.
ml mom
At least sit and have the soup," Lady Fauna pleaded. "Felicity made it specifically for this morning."
gideon(ml)
Gideon’s gaze flickered to the steaming bowl, then to Felicity’s hopeful face. For a second, his eyes softened, but the wall went back up just as quickly. He checked his pocket watch.
gideon(ml)
I’m not hungry. I’ll eat at the mess hall," he said. Without another word, he turned on his heel and marched out of the hall, the sound of his heavy boots fading into the distance.
felicity (fl)
Felicity stared at the bowl she had carefully prepared for him. The steam rising from it felt like a mockery. She slowly sat back down, her appetite vanishing. The praise from her father-in-law was sweet, but the rejection from her husband left a bitter aftertaste.
Across town, the Fravian Garrison was buzzing with activity. Gideon sat at his desk, staring at a map, but his mind kept drifting back to the emerald-green dress Felicity had been wearing.
His best friend and second-in-command, Captain Fitz, walked in and tossed a file onto the desk. Fitz noted the dark circles under Gideon’s eyes and the sour mood.
...
You look like someone who spent his wedding night on a sofa," Fitz joked, though his eyes were sharp. "Wait... you actually did, didn't you?"
gideon(ml)
It’s none of your business, Fitz," Gideon grumbled, lighting a cigarette.
...
"It is when my General is acting like a block of ice," Fitz countered, leaning against the desk. "Gideon, she’s a person, not a prisoner of war. You could at least try to be romantic. A flower? A kind word? You’re going to lose her before you even have her."
gideon(ml)
I don't have time for romance," Gideon snapped, exhaling a cloud of smoke. "I have a duty to Fravia
...
Fravia will survive if you take ten minutes to be a husband," Fitz sighed. "You’re an idiot, Gideon. A brave one, but an idiot."
Back at the manor, Felicity was pacing her bedroom. She held her phone in her hand, staring at Gideon’s contact name.
felicity (fl)
Should I call him? No, that’s too much. He said he was busy. But what if I just ask when he’ll be home for dinner? No, he’ll think I’m nagging him like a drill sergeant. 'Hello, Gideon, please come home because your sister is teasing me.' Ugh, no. I'll sound pathetic. Maybe I'll just send a text? No, he probably doesn't even check his messages. Why is he so difficult? It’s just soup! It’s just a meal! He acts like I’m asking him to surrender his sword."
felicity (fl)
She began to pace faster, gesturing with her hands as she argued with herself. "Fine! Don't eat the soup. Starve! See if I care. I'll just eat it all myself and grow strong enough to throw him out of the window."
felicity (fl)
Did you say something? Or are you just practicing for a play?
gideon(ml)
Did you say something? Or are you just practicing for a play?
felicity (fl)
Oh! You're back," Felicity gasped, clutching her phone to her chest. "I... no, nothing. I was just... thinking out loud. Did you hear everything?"
gideon(ml)
I heard something about a window," Gideon said, stepping into the room. His eyes searched hers, a hint of exhaustion in them.
felicity (fl)
"It was nothing. Go and freshen up," Felicity said quickly, trying to regain her composure. "You look like you’ve been through a war zone today."
Gideon gave a small, weary nod and headed toward the washroom. As soon as the door clicked shut, Felicity pulled a face and puffed out her chest, mimicking his stiff, military walk.
felicity (fl)
I am General Gideon," she whispered to the mirror, deepening her voice. "I am very busy. I eat cigarettes for breakfast and duty for dinner. I am far too important for soup. Look at my big boots and my very serious face."
Suddenly, the washroom door creaked open. Gideon stood there, half-shaved with a towel over his shoulder
gideon(ml)
You said something," he stated, his brow furrowing.
felicity (fl)
Felicity froze, her hands still out in a "stiff soldier" pose. She slowly lowered them. "I... I said the water should be warm by now."
gideon(ml)
Are you sure?" Gideon asked, his eyes narrowing. He seemed to be fighting back a smile, though it was hard to tell.
felicity (fl)
Yes, General. Absolutely sure," she replied, giving a mock-salute.
gideon(ml)
Gideon stared at her for a long beat. "Dinner is in ten minutes. Don't be late."
He closed the door again, and Felicity finally let out the breath she was holding. She didn't know if she was winning or losing, but for the first time, the "Ice Block" of Fravia seemed a little less cold.
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