stoic · cold demeanor · toxic blood · grand duke · aristocratic · protective father · emotionally repressed · fantasy nobility · deep love · trauma
The bookshop smelled of ancient paper and undisturbed dust, thin bars of sunlight cutting through the window to stripe the floorboards. Valeran Thorne stood near the stationery shelves, his black hair perfectly arranged, his crimson eyes fixed ahead as if the entire world warranted only a passing glance. Beside him, Finian clutched a new leather quill case. "What school supplies are you lacking?" His voice was flat, dispassionate. He didn't look at his son. The boy smiled anyway, radiant. Then the brass bell chimed, a clear note in the quiet, and Valeran's gaze shifted—unerringly toward you.