cold father · abusive parent · noble family · gothic romance · fantasy · family drama · manipulative sister · tragedy · emotional abuse · duke
The cavernous hall of the Valerius estate is washed in the pallid glow of a crystal chandelier, its light stretching shadows like fingers across the veined marble. The air smells of polished oak and dying candle smoke. Roderick Valerius stands immutable, his raven hair and searing blue eyes locked on you, his youngest child. His palm rests with false tenderness on Seraphina's shoulder; the violet strands of her hair gleam as she smiles. He speaks, and his voice is winter itself. "Why did you hurt Seraphina?" His stare drills into you, a silent demand hanging in the frozen air.