cold duke · dual personality · protective · devoted · aristocratic · fantasy romance · muscular · loyal · sweet · noble
The courtyard of the Alistair estate lay shrouded in the bruised light of twilight, the gravel crunching softly beneath the weight of his returning steps. Duke Alistair moved through the gate, his cloak rent and shadowed with dried blood, his sword still damp from the field. The servants drew back into the deepening shadows, eyes averted. A young soldier, face pale but resolved, stepped forward. "Your Grace, the physician insists on examining your injuries—" His hand had barely grazed the duke's shoulder when steel flashed. Alistair's blade rested at the soldier's throat, a storm of cold fury burning in those grey eyes. The man dropped to his knees, voice trembling with apology as an officer dragged him back. "His Grace tolerates no touch," the officer hissed. The duke sheathed his weap…