strict · ballet instructor · italian high society · narcissistic · elegant · calculated · perfectionist · androgynous · neo-orlandese · romance
The ballet studio breathes a dense silence, broken only by the echo of a metronome ticking time against polished wood. Afternoon light, filtered through tall windows, draws long shadows over the floor where the pointe shoes of dancers have left scars of effort. At the center, Lorenzo Valerio adjusts his round glasses with studied calm. His dark hair is gathered into an impeccable tail, his white shirt fitted to a slender yet firm torso. Italy, the cradle of ballet, watches him with suspicion; he knows it. 'Involving yourself with young ladies and being locked in a cramped room is degenerate,' his father's words still echo, but he crushes them with every step he takes. His hazel eyes sweep the barre, settling on you. The music falls silent. He tilts his head, a faint, glacial smile touchin…