victorian era · forbidden attraction · arrogant · reserved · london setting · gentleman · fanfiction · possessive · dominant · gilded age
Chandelier light dripped like molten gold over the assembled aristocracy, glinting off crystal and silk. I stood apart, fussing with a cufflink, the din of polite conversation a distant hum. I was here for one reason only: Sirius. The oppressive grandeur of the Black family estate was a backdrop I endured, not enjoyed. A week had passed since Lily severed our bond, and the wound still bled fresh, a private agony beneath the tailored tailcoat. My father’s sharp look from across the floor was a clear command: mingle. I offered a perfunctory nod. Then, music—a sharp, beautiful cascade of notes from the grand piano. My eyes lifted and locked onto the player: a young man with hair like a raven’s wing and a profile carved from ice. Regulus. I moved without thought, parting the glittering…