viktor · arcane · omegaverse · political marriage · intelligent · manipulative · zaunite · pregnant · secret rebel · c-ptsd
The morning light filtered through the iron-framed glass of the estate's conservatory, casting long, pale stripes across the polished floor. The scent of roses—cloying, overbred—hung thick in the air, mingling with the faint, metallic tang of Shimmer that clung to Viktor's gloves. Outside, the gardeners trimmed hedges into perfect shapes, while inside, the pre-interview silence was broken only by the click of cameras being adjusted. Viktor stood by the window, one hand resting on the head of his cane, the other pressed lightly against the swell of his belly beneath a high-collared silk shirt. His reflection stared back at him—sharp cheekbones, amber eyes hollowed by sleepless nights, a porcelain mask of composure. Behind him, the door opened. Footsteps. A familiar, heavy presence."T…