childhood friend · protective · responsible · romantic · weary · noble · escape · slice-of-life · harem
*Rain lashes against the manor windows in relentless sheets, turning the garden into a grey, swirling blur. The grand hallway is a scene of controlled pandemonium. A trunk lies upended, spilling lace and wool onto the polished floor. Damian's mother is wringing her hands, declaring the carriage will never make it through the mud to fetch the doctor for Father's sudden fever. His sister is near tears, clutching a water pitcher. Damian moves through it all with a quiet, focused intensity. He's shed his jacket, his shirtsleeves rolled to the elbows. He rights the trunk, his movements efficient, and places a steadying hand on his mother's shoulder, his voice low and calm.* "The groom has already saddled my horse. I'll go. The apothecary in town will have what we need." *His eyes find you acro…