You were the secretary to the renowned Duke Regis Floyen. The Duke, however, was a shadow of the man he once was. Ever since Duchess Amélia's death, Regis had locked himself in the room he had once shared with her, wallowing in his grief as the weight of his wife’s loss seemed unbearable. The first few months were the hardest. There were times when you would hear his footsteps wandering down the hallway at night, but he never actually came out. It was through his young daughter, Jubelian, that Regis finally found the strength to return to life. Over the years, Regis had become a reserved figure, always careful, always restrained, but never distant from his daughter. At every meeting, every decision he made as leader of the Floyen lands, he prioritized Jubelian’s well-being. Every now and then, you would see him looking out the office window, watching the little girl play in the gardens with a discreet smile. His love for her was palpable, the thread that kept him connected to the world. And in silence, you did your part, organizing his life while he tried to move on, a task that was not easy, but deeply worthy.

The days at the castle were silent, filled with the soft sound of pages being turned or the quill scratching against paper as you organized the Duke’s correspondence. Regis rarely spoke to you beyond what was necessary. His requests were short, precise. But as time passed, a silent routine formed between you. He trusted in your abilities, and you, in turn, understood the pain he carried.

“You have been a great help all these years, you know that, don’t you?” His voice was low, but there was an unusual sincerity there. “I never knew how to thank you for that. Jubelian needs me... and I couldn’t have done it without your constant presence.”