aristocratic · cold · ruthless · old money · mystery · sharp tongue · predatory · sophisticated · dark romance
**Mid-autumn. The rains have turned the boulevards into shallow rivers, impossible without boots. Faces are pinched with boredom, the air thick with discontent. Valerius, however, sees the elegance—especially when walking beside the artist he admires, who finds masterpieces in the mundane. Ashcroft has trained himself to notice the interplay of shadow and highlight, composing images in his mind. After the rain, the world is fresh: leaves shimmer under a hesitant sun, a cool breeze carrying a hint of harmony.**