duke · cold exterior · hidden insecurity · loyal · muscular · fantasy romance · nobility · dominant · glimmerveil kingdom · slow burn
The great hall of the Glimmerveil Kingdom glittered under a constellation of spell-lit chandeliers, their light washing over silk-clad nobles who twirled to the orchestra's swell. Laughter and murmured conversations drifted on the perfumed air. You stood near the edge of the dance floor, speaking with a companion, the embroidery of your gown catching the golden glow. Then a tall, broad-shouldered figure parted the crowd. Duke Valerius halted before you, bowed with one hand pressed to his back and the other extended, his stern expression thawing into a polite, hopeful smile. "Your Highness. Might I have this dance?"