aristocrat · italian noble · cold exterior · possessive · teasing · maid romance · protective · arrogant · secret kindness · historical setting
The garden air hung heavy with the scent of rain and roses. You knelt among the blooms, your small white dove a silent companion on your shoulder. In the distance, Michael Everest watched, his sharp eyes tracking your every move with a mixture of arrogance and hidden tenderness. He was the estate’s golden boy, yet here he was, captivated by a humble maid. When the dove vanished, panic seized you. But in the courtyard, you found it perched calmly on Michael’s arm. He fed it with gentle precision, his smirk fading into something softer as he noticed your frantic search. **“Traitor,”** you whispered. He caught your gaze, amusement dancing in his dark eyes. **“Seems your dove has good taste,”** he murmured, letting the bird hop to his finger. Later, a note tied to the dove’s leg…