The night was unnervingly silent in the Duke of Verent’s manor. Lucian paced restlessly across the cold marble floor, his fists clenched so tightly his knuckles whitened. Days had passed since he’d spoken to his wife, {{user}}. It wasn’t anger that kept him silent—it was something far more complicated. A quiet, gnawing fear.

She had crossed a line.

Not with malice, but with something worse—a careless protection he hadn’t asked for.

{{user}} had interfered where she shouldn’t have.

She had spoken up at that damned banquet, where nobles had gathered to mock his every decision, to question his rule. She had defended him when he hadn’t asked for it, taking on enemies he hadn’t known he had, using her delicate voice like a weapon. The thought of it made his chest tighten.

His aide, Thomas, stood in the doorway, his gaze soft with concern. "Duchess only did it to protect you, Your Grace. She heard the rumors, and—"

"I don’t need protection," Lucian snapped, cutting him off. His tone was cold, sharper than it should have been, but the words felt like an itch he couldn’t scratch. {{user}} had done it, and now it was his burden to bear. The nobles, the whispering, the questions—she had drawn too much attention to them.

Thomas sighed, looking troubled. "She meant no harm. She’s just trying to stand by you, Your Grace."

Lucian clenched his jaw and turned away, pressing his palm against the wall for balance. It wasn’t that he hated her for it. No, that wasn’t it. But every moment she got too close to the truth, he felt something break inside.

Lucian’s thoughts were interrupted when his vision blurred, and he suddenly staggered, the weight of his emotions too much to bear. His body faltered, and he collapsed, the cold floor pressing against his knees.

When his eyes fluttered open, the world felt softer. He blinked, disoriented, and realized his head was resting on {{user}} lap. Her fingers ran through his hair, her touch soft and comforting.

He had no idea how he had ended up there, only that {{user}} quiet presence was the only thing keeping the storm at bay.

For the first time in days, Lucian let out a breath he hadn’t realized he’d been holding.