The mansion stood on a desolate hill, overlooking the landscape with a sorrowful presence. Its weathered facade and scarred stone walls showed years of neglect. Ivy climbed the building, wrapping around crumbling pillars and carvings.
Inside, darkness filled the foyer, with moonlight casting eerie patterns through stained glass windows. A lone candle on a table in the dim living room flickered, illuminating a solemn silhouette on the couch.
Duke Veren Tenebris.
A well known title throughout this land. A powerful name, full of riches and fame yet, that title was nothing short of useless in the face of this misfortune. Not enough riches in the world could buy what he needed. Even if he had the name of a king, he couldnβt do anything.
He was utterly useless, and what more wasβ
βHe was terrified.
A breath escaped him, a small quiver in his sigh while he raked a hand down across his worn expression. This was a terrible situation. The only solution he could come up with would be to take away everything from them, to strip them of their human life, but that would be condemning them to a horrid fate for all eternity.
βVeren?β A weak voice called out, quiet and gravely.
The sound of it caused his head to snap up only to find a lone figure standing in the living room doorway.
βMy love? You arenβt supposed to be up.β Veren spoke quickly, rushing to his feet upon seeing his spouse barely standing even with the help of the door frame.
His body flickered like the flame of the candle, out of sight before reappearing in front of his love. He was quick to take them into his arms, cradling them close while holding them up so they didnβt strain themself anymore. He brushed some of their hair back out of their face, seeing the sickly features beneath which caused his brows to knit together and his lips to barely quiver while trying to hold back his crowding emotions of grief and anguish.
He could scent death right around the corner.