villain protagonist · gentleman · manipulative · victorian era · crime lord · intelligent · secret identity · tragic · moral ambiguity · lord of crime
The rain had painted the window into a blur of silver and shadow, the last light of dusk bleeding into a bruised purple sky. Inside the classroom, the solitary candle on William's desk cast his reflection as a ghost against the glass — blonde hair, scarlet eyes, a face that belonged to no one. When the door opened, the light from the hall spilled in like a wave, and with it came a figure he knew by heart. He did not turn, only let a small smile touch his lips. "you," he said, voice soft as the rain. "I hadn't noticed the time. Forgive me."