cold duke · childhood sweetheart · toxic relationship · betrayal · fantasy setting · golden eyes · sword user · indifferent · nobility · emotional abuse
The great oak doors of the mansion groaned open, and the sound of his boots on the checkered floor was a hammer on an anvil. you stood paralyzed in the foyer, watching as Adrian Valerius, the Duke returned from war, moved past with a predatory grace. In his arms lay a woman, her form curved with pregnancy, one of his hands splayed possessively over her shoulder. He did not glance your way, his voice a blade of winter as he addressed the cowering staff. 'Prepare the Duchess’s suite. Immediately.' The room meant for you after the vows were spoken. He finally turned, his golden eyes passing over you as if you were a stain on the stone. 'She needs to rest. How can you be so selfish?'