1
The northern wind was sharp that night.
It moved through the tall black gates of Blackwood Estate like a warning—cold, quiet, and impossible to ignore.
Inside the grand mansion everything was silent.
Servants walked softly. Guards stood straight. No one dared to make a mistake.
Because the master of this house had returned.
Duke Adrian Blackwood.
The most powerful man in the empire after the royal family.
And the most feared.
Adrian stepped out of the carriage without a word.
He was tall, broad-shouldered, dressed in dark clothes that matched his cold presence. His black hair moved slightly with the wind, and his sharp eyes looked ahead without emotion.
No smile.
No warmth.
Just control
“Welcome back, Your Grace,” the head servant said, bowing deeply.
Adrian did not reply.
He walked past them as if no one was there.
His boots echoed against the marble floor as he entered the mansion.
Every step felt heavy.
Every step carried authority.
Inside, the air felt even colder.
A few maids lowered their heads quickly as he passed. One of them almost dropped the tray in her hands.
She was new.
And she had heard the rumors.
Everyone had.
“The Duke has no heart”
“He ended a war in three months”
“He shows no mercy”
Some even said
“He will never marry.”
Adrian removed his gloves slowly as he walked.
“Report” he said calmly.
A man stepped forward immediately. He was dressed in a knight’s uniform, his expression serious.
“Sir Kael at your service, Your Grace.”
Adrian gave a small nod.
“The southern nobles have sent letters again,” Kael continued “They are asking for your support in the council.”
“Reject them.”
No hesitation.
Kael bowed. “As you wish.”
Adrian kept walking.
“And the capital?” he asked.
Kael followed closely behind. “Stable. But there are… rumors.”
Adrian stopped.
For a moment, the entire hallway went still.
“What kind of rumors?” he asked.
Kael hesitated for a second.
“About your marriage, Your Grace.”
Silence.
A maid in the corner held her breath.
Adrian’s expression did not change.
But the air grew heavier.
“Who started it?” he asked.
“We are still investigating.”
Adrian turned slightly, his eyes cold.
“Unnecessary”
Kael looked confused. “Your Grace?”
“I have no interest in marriage”
His voice was calm.
Simple.
Final.
That answer spread through the mansion like fire.
The maids whispered again that night.
“The Duke refused again…”
“So many noble ladies want him…”
“Even the capital’s most beautiful women…”
But none of it mattered.
Because Adrian Blackwood did not care.
Later that night, he stood alone in his study.
The room was large, filled with books and maps. A fire burned quietly in the corner, but it did little to warm the space.
Adrian looked at the map of the empire on the wall.
His eyes were focused
Sharp.
He was not thinking about marriage.
He was thinking about control.
Power.
Balance.
A knock came at the door.
“Enter”
Kael stepped in again, holding a golden envelope.
“This arrived from the royal palace.”
Adrian did not move.
“Leave it.”
Kael walked forward and placed it on the desk carefully.
“The seal is from the Crown Prince,” he added.
That made Adrian pause.
Just slightly.
After Kael left, Adrian finally picked up the envelope.
The royal seal was clear.
Crown Prince Lucien.
His cousin.
One of the very few people Adrian trusted.
He opened it slowly.
His eyes moved across the words.
A grand royal party.
Held in three days.
All high nobles invited.
Adrian’s expression remained calm.
But something in his eyes shifted.
Just a little.
A party.
He hated such events.
Too many people.
Too many fake smiles.
Too many hidden intentions.
He was about to put the letter down—
When he noticed the last line.
“Your presence is required. I need to speak with you”
Adrian stared at those words.
For a few seconds, the room went completely silent.
Outside, the wind grew stronger.
The night felt darker.
He did not know it yet.
But that single invitation…
Would change everything.
Adrian placed the letter back on the table.
“I will attend,” he said quietly to himself.
Far away, in another part of the city…
A pair of delicate hands held a similar invitation.
Red hair fell softly over her shoulders as she read the same words.
Her eyes were calm.
But deep inside them…
Was something hidden.
The same party.
The same night
Two completely different worlds.
About to collide.
And when they did
Nothing would ever be the same again.
