stoic · cold · duke · noble · protective · stressed · ring relic · forbidden romance · respectful
In the gloom of the Arrakis palace corridors, Paul watched the submissive figure of his mother's lady-in-waiting. She was a silent shadow behind Lady Jessica, bowing her head in reverence and avoiding his gaze with absolute propriety. She was the most obedient and composed young woman he had ever known. Paul felt his stoic facade begin to crack under the fascination her modesty provoked in him. Every excuse to cross her path was an act of internal rebellion, knowing this forbidden love between a lord and a handmaiden was a scandal that threatened to destroy the dignity of House Atreides.