The carriage rattled over the cobblestones, and Pillyse pressed her hands to her lap, heart hammering. The revelation that Elarion was a duke felt surreal, almost like she had stepped into a storybook but one where the stakes were far higher than any fairy tale she had ever imagined.
Elarion sat beside her, calm as ever, his presence radiating the same quiet authority that seemed to bend the world toward him.
"Soon," he said softly, "you will understand a part of my life I have never shown anyone."
Pillyse swallowed. "You… you never told me you were a duke."
He gave her a faint, enigmatic smile. "Some things are better discovered than told. You will see, Pillyse… and I want you to see it as it truly is, not through the veil of expectation."
The gates of his estate rose before them like black iron guardians, curling into intricate patterns. Beyond them, gardens stretched as far as the eye could see, fountains sparkling in the morning light. Pillyse's breath caught. She had never imagined a place so grand or intimidating.
Elarion stepped down from the carriage, hand extended to help her. "Welcome," he said softly. "Try not to be overwhelmed."
"I'll… I'll try," she murmured, clutching his hand as her stomach flipped.
Before she could recover, a tall man in a dark tailored coat approached, moving with precise, unyielding authority. His eyes, sharp and calculating, seemed to read her instantly.
"Lady Pillyse," he said, bowing slightly. "I am Kael, Elarion's steward and… confidant. I know the duke better than most, perhaps better than he knows himself. And I know why he has brought you here."
Pillyse blinked. "You… you know him?"
Kael's lips curved into a faint smile, sharp but not unkind. "More than anyone else. And there are things he keeps hidden, truths even I only know in fragments. Be careful, he has chosen you for reasons deeper than you can yet imagine."
Her pulse quickened. "Chosen me?"
Kael's smile turned almost teasing. "Yes. And trust me, you'll see the magnitude of what that means soon enough."
Elarion guided her through the mansion, each step echoing on polished marble floors. The ceilings soared high above them, chandeliers glimmering like captured starlight. Portraits of his ancestors lined the walls, their stern eyes seeming to judge her silently. Servants moved gracefully around them, bows and curtsies punctuating each greeting.
"This is… incredible," Pillyse breathed. "I've never seen anything like it."
Elarion's lips curved in a rare, soft smile. "It is beautiful… but it is not home until you feel it is. I want you to feel at ease, Pillyse, even here, surrounded by… all this."
Kael, walking just behind them, raised an eyebrow at her wide-eyed expression. "She seems more… animated than most who enter this house. Either that, or she's about to faint."
Pillyse gave him a sharp look. "Excuse me, sir, but I can assure you I am perfectly fine."
Kael only chuckled under his breath. "Of course, my lady. Of course."
They reached a private chamber, warm and inviting, with mirrors lining the walls and a soft fire crackling in the hearth. A team of attendants waited, each prepared with brushes, fabrics, and powders.
"Elarion wants you to meet his world as it is," one attendant said gently, her voice like a melody. "And that includes presenting yourself with dignity… and perhaps a little elegance."
Pillyse bit her lip nervously as the attendants began their work. Hair was braided and styled, makeup applied with delicate precision, and gowns layered upon her frame until she barely recognized herself in the mirror. When she finally did, she caught her own breath. The reflection staring back at her was poised, graceful, almost regal and undeniably striking.
Kael reappeared, arms folded, inspecting her. "The duke will see you now. Remember… appearances matter here. But also… be yourself. That is far rarer than beauty in this house."
When Elarion appeared in the doorway, the room seemed to hold its breath. His dark eyes swept over her, and for a heartbeat, the world narrowed to the space between them.
"You look… remarkable," he said, his voice low, almost reverent. "I didn't expect to find you like this… transformed."
Pillyse felt heat rush to her cheeks. "You… didn't tell me I'd need… all this."
Elarion's lips twitched in something between amusement and fondness. "Some things… I prefer you to discover yourself."
She glanced around the mansion, then back at him, sensing the life behind these walls: the quiet loyalty of servants, the subtle hierarchy of household staff, and the unseen burden of responsibility that weighed on every decision he made.
Kael stepped forward, eyes glinting. "The duke's world is more than marble and titles, my lady. It is loyalty, power… secrets, sacrifices, and… occasional headaches."
Pillyse arched an eyebrow. "Headaches?"
Kael smirked. "Trust me, you'll understand soon. Even dukes are not immune to human folly."
Elarion's hand found hers, warm and steady. "This is my world," he said softly. "And now… it can be yours too, if you wish. But I want you to understand something, Pillyse this is not about titles, wealth, or power. This is about you and me… about what we choose, what we endure, and what we cherish."
Pillyse's chest tightened, her heart pounding. The grandeur of the mansion faded into the background as she felt the intensity in his gaze, the devotion behind every carefully measured word. For a moment, the weight of everything the mansion, the staff, the secrets mattered less than the undeniable pull between them.
Kael cleared his throat, breaking the charged silence. "If I may… the lady should meet the rest of the household. They are… curious about her, as all newcomers are. And I promise, nothing will bite. At least, not literally."
Pillyse laughed softly, tension easing from her shoulders. "I think I can survive that."
Elarion squeezed her hand gently. "Good. Because this… this is only the beginning of what you will discover here. And I… I intend for you to be part of it all, in every way."
As they walked deeper into the mansion, Pillyse realized that she was not merely entering Elarion's world she was stepping into a life that would challenge her, delight her, and perhaps change her forever. And she would do so willingly, hand in hand with the man whose love and devotion she could now see in every glance, every word, every quiet gesture.