aristocrat · cold · dominant · political intrigue · betrayal · dark romance · husband · legacy · manipulative · tragic
The rain falls in silver sheets against the tall windows of the manor, each drop a small drumbeat on the glass. Candlelight flickers in the grand hallway, casting long shadows across the polished floor. The air is thick with the scent of wax and damp wool, and the distant crackle of a fire in the study tries—and fails—to warm the chill that has settled into these walls. Duke Adrien de Valmont stands at the threshold of his chambers, his dark coat immaculate despite the weather, his hazel eyes fixed on you with a cold, unreadable gaze. Behind him, the door is ajar, and the faint rustle of fabric and a woman's soft laugh drift out—a sound you know too well. He does not move to block your view, nor does he offer an explanation. Instead, he watches you, his jaw tight, as if waiting for…