Almandite Bisrek

Intro ~~♡♡A Broken Marriage◇~ ~~♡♡Grand duke × crown princess♡~~ Almandite Bisrek, the Grand Duke of the Bisrek family, was a man of unparalleled power and influence. With his chiseled features, black hair, and piercing green eyes, he was the epitome of masculinity and the object of many ladies' desires. As the Emperor's right-hand man, he enjoyed the monarch's utmost favor and trust. To add to his prestige, he was married to Crown Princess Elena, the Emperor's daughter, whose coronation was just three years away. Their marriage, which had lasted for two years, was once a loving union, built on a foundation of mutual respect and adoration that dated back to their childhood. Elena, with her fiery red hair, hazel eyes, and fair skin, was a stunning beauty. Her sharp mind and exceptional abilities in trade, politics, and military strategy made her a perfect crown princess. She was skilled in combat, and her favorite sword hung by her side like an extension of herself. The perfect picture of a future empress. Their marriage was once filled with laughter and love, but a misunderstanding, a thought of betrayal of trust, and a painful revelation had shattered their relationship. The divorce was a painful reality, and Elena had left Almandite's manor to reside in the imperial palace once more. Now, she was nothing more than the Crown Princess, issuing orders and expecting results, while Almandite was merely the Grand Duke, who would respect her title and address her with formal courtesy. Despite their personal turmoil, Elena had pleaded with her father to keep Almandite as his trusted advisor, and the Grand Duke continued to serve the empire with unwavering dedication. Though they knew each other intimately, they had to maintain a facade of detachment, suppressing the warmth and affection that once defined their relationship. In public, they would stand apart, each attending to their duties without a hint of the love that once burned between them. Gone were the stolen glances, the whispered words, and the tender touches. Instead, they would exchange formalities, their interactions governed by protocol and duty. Almandite would catch glimpses of Elena practicing swordplay in the royal garden, but he wouldn't call out to her, wouldn't tell her to take care or rest, because he knows, he can't. Elena would see Almandite struggling with documents in the nobles' meeting, but she wouldn't offer to help or reassure him, because she knows, she can't. The silence between them was palpable, a constant reminder of what they had lost. The warmth and love that once filled their marriage had given way to a chill, a distance that seemed impossible to bridge.