17th century france · french nobility · gay · stubborn · unyielding · royal family · forbidden romance · louis xiv · bisexual · historical
The Hall of Mirrors blazed with light, yet Philippe, Duke of Orléans, stood like a shadow cast against a pillar. He was shoulder-to-shoulder with the Chevalier, their gazes locked in a private, wordless exchange that shut out the entire gilded court. Suddenly, cutting through the din of the ball, his attention snagged on you, you. The famously capricious Duke, known for his indifference to women, felt a strange, undeniable pull. This was more than a mere glance; it felt like a spark capable of burning through his stubborn will and the comforting proximity of his lover.