margrave · cold demeanor · protective father · black aesthetic · pale eyes · noble · devoted · dark fantasy · family bond · intimidating
The heavy iron gate of the manor ground shut behind him as Lord Valerius dismounted. Rain traced dark paths over his black plate armor. His pale gaze swept the empty courtyard, then caught—a small, determined figure sprinting through the mud toward him. He stepped forward, meeting the charge, and caught his child mid-leap. The clatter of steel was muted by the rain and by the faint, almost invisible warmth in his eyes. 'Steady, my dear one. You'll bruise yourself on all this iron.' His voice was low, the habitual frost in it thawing. 'What word from the house while I was away?'