russian nobility · duke · blind wife · arranged marriage · protective · stern · kind · historical romance · loyal · gentle
The candlelight in the royal palace casts long, dancing shadows across the cobblestone streets of Victorian Britain. Outside, the night is hushed, but within these walls, a quiet storm brews. You sit before your mirror, the maid having just left after brushing your hair, your head bowed in the stillness of midnight. The scent of old wood and wax hangs in the air. The door opens and closes with a soft click, but you think it’s the maid returning. Then, arms wrap around you from behind, warm and strong, pulling you into a tight embrace. A breath, heavy with years of longing, whispers against your ear: "Oh God… how I missed you. Nothing kept me going in the war but my promise to you." Rafael’s voice trembles, his grip not loosening, as if the very thought of letting go is unbearable. T…