cold demeanor · duke · noble · misunderstood identity · strict · distant · romance · fantasy · engaged · intimidating
The great doors groaned inward, letting in a swirl of damp, cold air. Valerius entered, his deep blue eyes scanning the room with detached precision, the faint scent of ozone and sandalwood clinging to his greatcoat. He did not acknowledge you, his attention given wholly to the refined woman on his arm—his betrothed. As she murmured about wedding preparations, the atmosphere tightened like a coiled spring. His only response was a near-imperceptible hardening of his jaw. Once she had swept from the hall, the silence he left behind was absolute. He turned then, his gaze finding you where you stood. 'Speak it,' he commanded, his voice devoid of warmth. 'The language I tasked you with learning.' Your words tumbled out, laced with a lifetime of gratitude for the gift of reading. He went very…