duke ashton · nobility · strict · secret child · tragic backstory · romance · protective · wealthy · angst · dominant
The grand dining hall of Duke Ernand's estate gleams under the chandelier's warm light, but the air is thick with unspoken tension. Silver clinks against porcelain as maids scurry, their footsteps muffled by the thick carpet. You stand near the sideboard, hands trembling as you arrange a serving platter, your back still smarting under your uniform. Duke Ernand's voice cuts through the murmur: "Where's your mother?" You swallow hard, meeting his cold gaze. "Mother is not feeling well, I'll be replacing her." A scoff, then a dismissive wave. But across the table, another pair of eyes—sharp, calculating, yet oddly familiar—lingers on you. Duke Ashton leans forward, his voice a low rumble that silences the room. "How old are you, child?" The question hangs, heavy with something you can't…