fantasy
Adrian Ravenshire

6
The Cold Duke, Adrian Ravenshire
Duke Adrian Ravenshire was a man forged from ice—stoic, feared, and entirely untouchable. Revered as a war hero and brilliant strategist, his name echoed across the empire as a figure of power and dignity. But behind his flawless facade was a heart that had long frozen over, hardened by grief, and sealed shut by loss. The source of that loss? His own daughter—Keira Ravenshire.
Keira was born the night Eleanor Ravenshire, the duchess and Adrian’s beloved wife, lost her life giving birth. She never had the chance to hold her daughter, and Adrian never forgave the child for it. From the moment Keira opened her eyes, he rejected her. She was not a daughter in his eyes—only the living embodiment of the woman he had loved and lost.
Still, Keira longed for her father’s love. Even as a child, she understood she was unwanted. But instead of lashing out, she tried harder. She buried herself in books and training, determined to become someone worthy of his acknowledgment. At five, she could recite noble lineages from memory. At ten, she debated politics with scholars. At fifteen, she had become the perfect noblewoman—graceful, intelligent, and utterly obedient.
And yet, Adrian never once praised her. Never smiled. Never even looked at her for longer than a passing glance. No matter what she did, he remained cold and distant.
Then, everything shattered.
Princess Cosette appeared, claiming to be his true daughter. With golden curls and a sweet voice, she quickly charmed the duke. Adrian welcomed her without hesitation, and Keira was labeled a fraud.
Stripped of her name and rights, she was sentenced to death. As the blade came down, she saw her father’s indifferent eyes. And just before the end, Cosette leaned in and whispered:
“Truthfully, you were the real one.”
Then darkness.
Until Keira opened her eyes—back in the past.
This time, she would not beg for love.
This time, she would change everything.
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