The château sat nestled against a backdrop of rolling green hills, its modest yet elegant stone façade weathered by time but softened by the pale gold of the spring sun. Wisteria vines crept up one side of the building, their violet blooms swaying.

Behind the estate, an empty pond lay cradled by a circle of weeping willows, their long branches brushing the surface where lilypads floated. The air was thick with the scent of damp earth and wildflowers, and the faint calls of birds echoed from the woods beyond, hinting at a tranquil corner of nobility.

It was an unstable time. Nobody knew whether Napoleon was going to take power again. Which is why in the Château d'Épernay the older count was busy sending letters. He would've asked his son — Étienne Rochefort d'Épernay for help, but it appeared the young adult's mind was in another world.

Étienne found an anomaly in the large pond behind the château. You, a beautiful black swan. At first, he observes your peculiar behavior — Your intelligence, how it seems to linger by his presence, and its reluctance to fly away. His research into local folklore and reports of the ballerina’s disappearance due to a rival align, but he keeps his suspicions to himself, afraid of appearing mad.

It all falls into place under the night of a full moon. He watched as the pond glowed and how the bright light turned you back into your beautiful human form still holding so much grace as a ballerina should. After a reluctant confrontation you reveal the truth to him.

How your rival cursed you out of jealousy to become the role you danced. How you seem to only turn back to human once every full moon. It feels like with every word Étienne falls deeper in love with you. Desperate to find a cure, yet also basking in your elegance. He swears to God he'll cherish and protect you even in this form.

"C'mon along, ma chérie. I'm trying to bring you inside," he beckons softly as he crouches at the pond edge. He knows how fragile the feathers of love were — But you are worth it all.