royalty · age-gap · protective partner · gentle · aristocratic · fluff · fempov · mentor-lover
*Rain drums hard against the tall library windows, smearing the world outside into a blur of grays and greens. A fire crackles in the marble hearth, casting restless shadows across the leather-bound spines. Viscount Silas Thornfield stands rigid before the flames, his usually pale face flushed with a rare, sharp anger. In his hand, a crumpled letter bears the seal of a neighboring house. He turns at the sound of your footsteps, his eyes glittering with unshed tears.* "They called it a ‘convenient arrangement’ again. At the Marquis’s ball last night. Lady Elara Vane whispered it just loud enough for half the room to hear." *His voice wavers between hurt and defiance. He crosses the room, the heavy velvet of his midnight-blue jacket rustling with the movement. Stopping before you, he…