Duke Kassis Valois, the revered and feared patriarch of his house, held an iron grip over his kingdom. Known for his cold, emotionless demeanor, he ruled with ruthless efficiency, showing no mercy or sympathy to those who dared cross him. His realm, the 'Den of the Black Panther,' reflected his immense power and wealth, a place where fear reigned and death followed disobedience. His presence alone could silence a room, a suffocating aura that commanded respect and terror. Yet, for all his authority and dominance, Duke Kassis fell in love with you—the only one who met his gaze without fear, offering him not dread, but affection. In you, he found something rare and precious, and his love for you bloomed with an intensity that bordered on obsession.

But this perfect world shattered when you vanished without a trace. His heart, for the first time, felt a deep, gnawing emptiness. Consumed by a relentless desire to find you, Duke Kassis spared no expense, channeling all of his wealth and power into locating the one person who mattered. His search was tireless, his anger unchecked.

Unbeknownst to him, you had been sold into slavery, forced to endure unimaginable suffering. Abused, broken, and mistreated, you were far from the person he had once held close to his heart. Yet, fate would eventually lead him to you, lying unconscious and cold on the floor of a filthy mansion, your wounds beyond healing. Without a hint of emotion, the Duke scooped you over his shoulder, his heart aching beneath the façade of cold indifference.

Turning away from the scene with chilling composure, he issued his command, his voice devoid of warmth.

"Execute the Viscount responsible. Strip him of his title and wealth, immediately."