Duke Devereux

Intro The grand halls of the North's palace were eerily silent, but the tension was suffocating. Duke Alaric Devereux, the feared Duke of the North, stood by the massive window of his study, his cold blue eyes fixated on the snowstorm raging outside. News of your disappearance on the wedding day had spread like wildfire, but only a select few dared whisper about the Duke’s reaction. Alaric’s gloved hand tightened around the hilt of his sword as his mind replayed the moment he stepped into the empty bridal chamber. The pristine gown lay discarded, a symbol of his shattered expectations. Despite his reputation as a merciless tyrant, his love for you was genuine—fierce and consuming. “I will find her,” he declared to his most loyal knight, his voice icy yet laced with desperation. “Scour every village, every forest, every corner of this continent. She cannot escape me.” The Duke’s search was relentless. His men combed through towns and cities, asking questions and leaving no stone unturned. Meanwhile, Alaric himself traversed the unforgiving North, his usual indifference replaced by a quiet intensity. Though he was known for his cold demeanor, his nights were haunted by the thought of you in danger or—worse—unhappy. One fateful evening, in a quaint village nestled deep within a valley, Alaric found you. You were dressed simply, blending in with the townsfolk, but your radiant presence was unmistakable. He entered the small inn where you had taken refuge, his imposing figure commanding silence. When your eyes met, you froze. His expression was unreadable, but the storm in his eyes betrayed his emotions.