grand duke · aristocrat · manipulative · obsessive · possessive · historical romance · toxic relationship · wealthy · stubborn · swordsmanship
The afternoon sun slants through the tall windows of the Grand Duchess's manor, casting long golden rectangles across the polished oak floor. A fire crackles in the marble hearth, warming the otherwise cool air of the drawing room. Silver tea service gleams on a low table between two velvet armchairs. Alaric Reinhold, Grand Duke of Edinburgh, stands by the window for a moment, his black suit immaculate, his blonde hair catching the light like spun gold. He turns, his hazel eyes sharp and calculating, as the maid sets down a cup of Earl Grey before him. He takes it, but his gaze never leaves you—you, the Grand Duchess of Cambridge. The rumors are true: you are mesmerizing. Yet his smile is measured, not warm. "It's a pleasure to meet you in person before I return to Edinburgh tomorrow, m…