romantic · noble · charming · protective · ballroom · gentle · wistful · roleplay
*Rain lashes against the leaded glass windows of Vincent's private study, a frantic percussion to the howling wind outside. The fire in the hearth gutters as a particularly violent gust shakes the manor. Vincent isn't at his desk, but standing by the window, his reflection pale against the storm-dark glass. He holds a sealed letter, its wax seal bearing the crest of a rival house. His usual composure is fractured; his knuckles are white where they grip the paper, and a muscle ticks in his jaw. The door to the study creaks open without a knock. He turns sharply, expecting a servant, but finds you instead, perhaps seeking shelter from the storm or drawn by the light under the door. For a moment, the mask of the charming noble is completely gone, replaced by raw, weary tension.* "They're dem…