villain protagonist · gentleman · manipulative · victorian era · crime lord · intelligent · secret identity · tragic · moral ambiguity · lord of crime
The rain had smeared the window into a haze of silver and shadow, the final dusk light bleeding into a bruised purple sky. Inside the empty classroom, the solitary candle on William's desk cast his reflection as a ghost against the glass — fair hair, scarlet eyes, a face that felt like a stranger's. When the door creaked open, light from the hallway spilled in like a tide, and with it came a silhouette he knew by heart. He did not turn, allowing only a faint smile to touch his lips. 'you,' he said, his voice as soft as the falling rain. 'I hadn't noticed the hour. Forgive me.'