2.
1064 Words
Morning came slowly to Blackwood Estate.
But inside the mansion, nothing truly changed.
It was still quiet.
Still controlled.
Still cold.
Just like its master.
Duke Adrian Blackwood stood by the tall window in his study, looking out at the endless white land of the north.
Snow covered everything.
Clean
Silent
Untouched
His expression did not change.
He had already read the royal invitation twice.
A grand party.
Three days from now.
He already knew what it meant.
A knock broke the silence.
“Enter.”
The door opened, and Sir Kael stepped in again.
“Your Grace” he said, bowing slightly.
“The carriage from the capital has arrived.”
Adrian did not turn.
“Let them in.”
A few minutes later, footsteps echoed through the hallway.
Different footsteps
Confident
Light
Familiar
Without even looking, Adrian already knew who it was.
“Still as cold as ever, I see”
A voice filled with amusement broke the silence of the room.
Adrian finally turned.
Standing at the door was a man dressed in royal blue, his posture relaxed, his smile easy.
Crown Prince Lucien Ardent.
Golden hair. Sharp eyes. A natural charm that made people trust him instantly.
The complete opposite of Adrian.
“You came early” Adrian said calmly.
Lucien walked in without waiting for permission and dropped himself into a chair like he owned the place.
“I missed you” he said lightly.
Adrian said nothing.
Lucien looked around the room and sighed.
“This place hasn’t changed at all. Still feels like a prison”
“It is efficient” Adrian replied.
Lucien laughed softly. “You really don’t know how to live, do you?”
Adrian ignored that.
“You didn’t come here for conversation.”
Lucien smiled.
“Straight to the point. That’s why I like you.”
He leaned forward slightly, resting his elbow on the table.
“You read the invitation.”
“I did.”
“And?”
Adrian’s voice was calm.
“I will attend.”
Lucien’s smile widened.
“I knew it. If I didn’t personally write that last line, you would have ignored it.”
Adrian did not deny it.
The Crown Prince studied him for a moment.
Then his expression became a little more serious.
“There will be many nobles there” he said. “Important ones”
“I am aware”
“And many of them are… very interested in you”
Adrian’s gaze turned cold again.
“I have no interest in them.”
Lucien sighed.
“That’s the problem”
He stood up and walked toward the window.
“The empire is not as stable as it looks,” he said quietly. “Alliances matter. Marriage is one of them.”
Adrian’s voice remained firm.
“I will not marry for politics.”
Lucien turned to look at him.
“And if I ask you as your Crown Prince?”
Silence filled the room.
The air became heavy again.
Adrian met his gaze.
“For the empire… I will consider alliances.”
Lucien raised an eyebrow.
“That doesn’t sound like a yes.”
“It is not.”
For a moment, Lucien just stared at him.
Then suddenly, he laughed.
“You really are impossible.”
He walked back and sat down again.
“Fine. I won’t force you”
Adrian said nothing.
“But…” Lucien added slowly, “there is someone I want you to meet at the party.”
That caught Adrian’s attention.
“Who?”
Lucien’s expression softened slightly.
“Lady Seraphina Vale”
The name hung in the air.
Adrian’s eyes narrowed just a little.
“I know of her.”
Beautiful
Elegant
Perfect reputation
And—
Ambitious.
Lucien smiled faintly.
“She’s kind,” he sai “Gentle. Different from others.”
Adrian did not respond.
“I think you’ll like her” Lucien continued.
That made Adrian look at him directly.
“I doubt that.”
Lucien sighed again.
“You don’t even want to try?”
“No”
Silence fell again.
But this time, it felt heavier.
Lucien leaned back in his chair, staring at the ceiling.
“You know… people are starting to talk.”
“They always do.”
“Not like this.”
Adrian waited
“They think,” Lucien said slowly “that the great Duke Blackwood cannot feel anything.”
Adrian’s expression did not change.
“That he’s… can't do that”
Still no reaction.
Lucien turned his head and looked at him.
“Are they wrong?”
For a moment—
Just a moment—
Something dark passed through Adrian’s eyes.
But it disappeared too quickly to notice.
He didn’t say anything.
Lucien watched him carefully.
But he did not push further.
Instead, he stood up.
“Anyway,” he said lightly, changing the mood, “the party will be… interesting.”
Adrian remained silent.
Lucien smiled as he walked toward the door.
“Oh, and one more thing.”
Adrian looked at him.
“Try not to scare everyone away this time.”
Adrian did not reply.
After Lucien left, the room became silent again.
But something had changed.
Adrian walked back to the desk
His eyes fell on the invitation once more.
A party filled with nobles.
With expectations.
With hidden intentions.
And one name.
Lady Seraphina Vale.
For some reason—
He felt nothing.
He picked up the paper and folded it slowly.
“Prepare the carriage,” he said calmly.
Outside, the snow continued to fall.
Quiet.
Endless.
.....
Far away, in the capital…
A grand hall was being prepared.
Golden lights.
Crystal chandeliers.
Silk curtains.
Noble families had already begun planning.
Dresses were being chosen.
Jewels prepared.
Rumors spreading.
“The Duke will attend.”
“He finally accepted…”
“This is our chance…”
And in a luxurious room, a young woman stood before a mirror.
Her long blonde hair fell perfectly over her shoulders.
Her lips curved into a soft smile.
But her eyes…
Were sharp.
“Everything must be perfect” she said quietly.
Servants bowed.
“Yes, my lady”
Lady Seraphina Vale touched the invitation gently.
“The Duke of Blackwood…”
Her smile deepened.
“This time… I won’t fail”
The candlelight flickered.
Her shadow stretched across the wall.
Beautiful.
Elegant.
And dangerous.
- Writer
