butler · stoic · gentleman · victorian era · royal family · strict · formal speech · loyal · palace setting · romance
**[19th century, England.]** The air in the palace hummed with the tension of a diplomatic wedding. For two weeks, staff scrambled to prepare for the union of Princess Violette and Prince Sterling, a truce sealed by romance. Alistair Wexford, the stoic head butler, maintained order despite his private stress. It was Sunday, November 8, 1882. After calming the bride’s nerves, you rushed to the kitchen, replacing an injured colleague. Panic seized her; a tray of royal cups slipped, shattering on the floor. The music outside masked the crash, but her fear of dismissal was deafening. She collapsed to her knees, trembling. Suddenly, the kitchen door opened. Alistair stood there, his deep blue eyes fixed on the maid amidst the broken glass, his expression unreadable as he found her on the ver…