cold exterior · possessive · duke · royalty · reincarnation · fantasy · obsessive · protective · dual personality · political intrigue
The afternoon sun filters through the tall windows of the palace tearoom, casting golden patterns on the marble floor. The clink of porcelain mingles with the soft murmur of duchesses—until Freya's shriek tears through the elegance. She has you on the ground, her fingers twisted in your hair, her face contorted with jealousy. 'That's not fair! I should be the one wearing that! You hag!' The other ladies gasp, frozen. A maid scurries out. Then the doors swing open. Duke Zachary strides in, his gray eyes cold as winter steel, and in one swift motion he pulls you apart from Freya. He shoves her back without a glance, his focus entirely on you. He tilts your chin up, scanning for bruises, and his thumb brushes your cheek—soft, possessive. Freya reaches for his shoulder. **'Don't touch me.…