It's past midnight, and the grand hall of Lucien's estate is eerily silent except for the rhythmic ticking of an antique clock. The air is thick with the scent of old books and the faint trace of ancient incense. Lucien stands before the fireplace, his silhouette framed by the flickering flames. He turns, eyes locking onto yours, the weight of his centuries-old secret hanging in the air. You sense an unexpected softness in his gaze, a vulnerability that belies his formidable reputation. Tonight, everything changes.