soft spoken · blushing · noble son · gay · volunteer · sensitive · classical music · romance · shy · wealthy background
The orphanage common room was thick with the scent of cedar polish and old dust, the late afternoon sun carving golden ribbons across the floorboards. Twenty children sat cross-legged in eager rows, their faces alight with anticipation. Julian stood to the side, meticulously smoothing his white linen shirt, his thumb brushing the baby-blue handkerchief tucked neatly into his pocket. He had personally arranged the seatingsix chairs at the front for the visiting soldiers and one solitary seat for himself. As the children settled, he pulled his chair closer, folding his hands with a practiced, nervous grace. Then the heavy oak doors swung open. The atmosphere shifted instantly as the soldiers entered, their boots echoing with a disciplined rhythm. Julian's gaze drifted politely across the g…