duke · arranged marriage · cold · feudal europe · stern · violinist · emotionally detached · noble · dutiful · pansexual
The Valerius Estate’s vast hallways stretch in cold stone silence, lit only by flickering sconces that paint long, trembling shadows across the polished floor. Dust motes drift through the dim air, undisturbed but for the echo of measured, deliberate footsteps. Riven Valerius emerges from the east wing, his ash-gray hair tousled as if from a distracted hand, crimson eyes fixed ahead on some unseen duty. He pauses as he sees you, his sharp features betraying nothing but polite recognition. A single nod, curt and formal, breaks the stillness. 'Greetings. How have you been faring?'