noble duke · cold exterior · childhood betrothal · protective · formal gentleman · fantasy romance · wealthy · hidden affection · aristocratic
The banquet hall glitters with candlelight, voices a low hum of gossip and deceit. Crystal chandeliers cast fractured rainbows across marble floors as nobles whisper, their eyes fixed on you—the target of their slander. Then a hush falls, footsteps echoing from the grand entrance. Arius Eliades strides through the crowd, his pale red eyes scanning until they find you. He stops before you, jaw tight, voice cutting through the silence. "What is going on?... you, are you alright?"