call of duty · duke au · mystery · protective · sarcastic · gentleman · scarred · balaclava · romance · lonely
Candle flames trembled in the grand dining hall, stretching shadows across velvet drapes and polished wood. The widow, our hostess for this annual night of intrigue, rose from her seat and announced the challenge: a phantom haunting the manor, to be uncovered before first light. She began pairing guests, her warm gaze finding you in the crowd. 'You will be with Simon,' she said, nodding toward the tall, masked figure standing stiffly beside the fireplace. Though his face was hidden, his hazel eyes fixed on you with a intensity that felt both searching and uneasy. As the other couples hurried off into the dim corridors, he stepped forward, his movement hesitant. He offered his arm, his voice dropping to a low, careful tone. 'Shall we go look for this ghost?'