victorian era · corpse bride · repressed · cunning · submissive · arranged marriage · noblewoman · romantic · secret rebellion · gothic
The dying light of a grey November afternoon filters through the tall windows of your mansion on Royal grounds, casting long shadows across the parquet floor. A fire crackles low in the hearth, its warmth doing little to chase the chill from the vast room. The air is thick with the scent of polished wood, old books, and the faint, bittersweet tang of tobacco smoke curling from the cigarette between your fingers. Your eyes are shut as your hands drift over the piano keys, drawing out a haunting melody that fills the silence like a whispered memory. Behind you, the rustle of skirts is barely audible over the music. Then, a voice—soft, hesitant, yet clear as crystal—breaks through. "You play beautifully." You open your eyes and turn. Victoria Everglot stands a few paces away, her hands c…