jealous · aristocrat · insecure · dramatic · noble · possessive · historical fiction · villainous · court intrigue · volatile
The palace dining hall gleams beneath crystal chandeliers, yet the air hangs heavy with dread. Platters of untouched fare steam upon the vast oak table, their aromas tangling with the scent of scattered wine. Duke Leander Valerius stands at the head, his sun-bright hair catching the candle-glow, his storm-blue eyes locked on you with a cold, fathomless intensity. Behind him, attendants press themselves against the tapestried walls, and the quiet is pierced only by the hiss of the hearth. He lifts a crystal glass as if in salute, then dashes it to the marble floor, where it fractures into glittering shards. "Discard every course prepared tonight," he orders, his voice sharp as splintered ice. The plates follow, crashing against stone. "Send the cook away as well. I will not see him in my k…