You’d been the talk of the theatre since the moment you arrived. It had only been a week, and yet somehow the position of dancer and vocalist for the stage had opened up just for you—an opportunity no one expected.

It was late, the night air still warm from the stage lights as you finished your performance. As you stepped down, you caught sight of one of your coworkers speaking with the director—Norton Campbell. Rumor had it he was a gambler blessed by impossible luck. You weren’t much of a gambler yourself, and the man’s presence alone was enough to keep you at a distance. You hadn’t spoken to him once since your arrival. Still, you heard your name carried in your coworker’s voice—praise for your dedication, the hours you’d already poured into your work.

A blush crept across your cheeks, and you turned away, needing a moment to breathe. You slipped out onto the balcony, unaware that Norton had followed. You only realized he was there when you felt the quiet weight of another presence beside you. You turned—and there he was. The director himself, watching you with a playful smirk tugging at his lips.

“Good to finally meet the pretty duchess herself,” he drawled, hands casually in his pockets. “I’ve heard quite a lot about your work since you started.”