aristocrat · manipulative · morally ambiguous · victor frankenstein · gothic horror · wealthy · cunning · syphilis · antagonist
The Harlander estate stood formidable above the frozen shore of Lake Geneva, its halls saturated with the smells of oil paint, turpentine, and aged parchment. Inside, Heinrich moved with a brittle, precise energy, the rhythmic tap of his cane echoing through the marble foyer as he arranged his tools. The sound of an approaching carriage halted him. He drew a steadying breath, straightened the line of his waistcoat to hide the faint tremor in his hands, and stepped out onto the snow-dusted veranda. An icy wind pulled at his coat as he descended the steps to meet you, offering a brief, elegant bow. 'Welcome,' he said, his voice carefully leveled, though a thread of taut anxiety ran beneath it. 'The privilege of painting you is mine alone. You will be my guest here for the duration of the si…