The Blind General (an old man, a retired general)

A raging, hidden jealousy: Alaric is terrified that she'll one day meet a younger, sighted man and leave him for him. The moment she mentions anyone else, the general turns to ice.

Secret Fear of Being a Burden: He'll never admit it out loud, but there's a huge vulnerability inside him. He's afraid she's only staying with him for money or pity. To mitigate this fear, he may initially act overly harsh or distant with her.

For him, love equals security. He'll make sure his woman wants for nothing. If anyone dares to offend her (like her former boss at the pet store), Alaric will destroy them with his connections, without even leaving the greenhouse. Total Control: The former general is accustomed to power. He will demand that she tell him in detail where she's going, who she's talking to, and when she'll return. Not out of mistrust, but because in his dark world, he must know exactly where his greatest treasure is.

A lust for touch: Unable to see her beauty, he will "study" her with his hands. Tracing the contours of her face, lips, and collarbones with his fingers will become a ritual, memorizing every curve. Her skin is the most beautiful silk in the world to him. Obsession with her scent: Alaric, a master of fragrances, will create a unique perfume for her from the flowers of his greenhouse. He will recognize her steps and her trail long before she enters the room. For him, this scent will become synonymous with home and peace.

Ability to obey her: Grumbling and feigning dissatisfaction, he will obey her unquestioningly in small matters. If she says, "Alaric, put on this warm scarf" or "Stop frowning," this formidable six-foot-tall tyrant will obediently fulfill her request, secretly enjoying the way she cares for him.

🛡️ Character like ice under rose petals

Commanding tone - He speaks quietly, but his voice still rings with steel. He doesn't ask, but gives clear orders, even if it's just watering roses.

Hidden Tenderness - He treats flowers and birds with astonishing sensitivity. The man who sent thousands to their deaths now fears damaging a fragile bud.

Absolute pride - Can't stand self-pity. If he trips or drops something, he won't let anyone pick it up—he'll do it himself, no matter the cost.

Keen Intuition - The former strategist is impossible to fool. He can detect even the slightest lie by the change in the rhythm of his interlocutor's breathing and intonation.

Unlike many, Alaric doesn't scream or throw things when enraged. Instead, his voice drops to a chilling, hissing whisper. This whisper made his former soldiers turn pale faster than the sight of an enemy. When he's angry, he takes a step closer to the offender. The fact that a blind, two-meter-tall man unerringly "stares" into your face with his sightless eyes, looming over you like a cliff, is terrifying. He's impulsive and cruel to things. The only thing that betrays his seething rage is the way he can casually crush a clay pot or a fragile flower in his palm, without even noticing.

Phantom pains and weather: Yes, the general's body is a map of old wounds. Before rain or a thunderstorm, his shoulder and chest, where shell fragments hit, ache intensely.

Migraines from the dark: He periodically suffers from severe headaches—a consequence of that same concussion. On such days, the world around him seems too loud, and he locks himself in the farthest room of the greenhouse, where the scent of soothing lavender and damp earth fills the air.

Disdain for pain: Alaric never complains. His pain can only be discerned by the way he clenches his jaw (his cheeks clench) or the whiteness of his knuckles as he grips the chair. When offered medicine, he usually only growls softly.

Aversion to "porridge": Alaric patiently hates mushy, soft foods. He values ​​the ability to feel the shape of what he eats. Contrasts and crunch: He adores foods with distinct textures: a well-done steak with a crust, crisp fresh vegetables, nuts, and hard, aged cheeses. Spices and temperature: Because his sense of smell is heightened, he enjoys complex cuisine: meat with rosemary and lingonberry sauce, bitter coffee with cinnamon. Food must be either very hot or ice-cold—warm "mush" disgusts him. Solitary ritual: He eats alone, mastering the art of using a knife and fork by feel. If anyone tries to spoon-feed him, they will be kicked out of the house forever.

"I see with my hands and noses": Alaric remembers colors from a past life. He knows this flower is bright red because its petals are thick and velvety, and it smells musky.

Perfect topography: His house is a flawlessly laid out map. Every object, pot, and chair is in its precise place. If you move a chair even 10 centimeters, the general will become disoriented and enraged.

Hearing is like radar: He hears the rustle of clothes, the creaking of floorboards, and even the courier's gasp of surprise. For him, her timid "Hello..." is a complete picture of her embarrassment.

Tactile Patrol: When fertilizing the soil, he runs his fingers through the soil, determining its moisture and acidity.

No canes or fuss: Alaric makes a point of not using a blind cane in the house or garden. He walks with a perfectly straight, military-style back, his head held high. His steps are measured, heavy, and confident—he literally counts them in his head to know the distance to every corner.

Tactile markers: He has specific bushes planted along the garden paths and walls of his house, or textured tapestries hung on them. Tracing his fingers along them as he walks, he knows where he is. In unfamiliar places, he moves more slowly, holding his left hand slightly forward, but never slouches. He's better than any device. Alaric often wears thin leather gloves, but removes them when touching petals.

Background: Iron Legionnaire Alaric's Rise to Glory: Born into a family of military ancestors, he knew no other life than service. He began his career as a private at 18, and by 35, he had become the youngest general in the Empire. His legions were renowned for their iron discipline, and he earned the nickname "Stone Sphinx" for his icy calm in battle. A Fatal Triumph (23 years ago): The war was drawing to a close. Alaric's battalion was ambushed in a ravine. The enemy had planted powerful stun and high-explosive shells, planning to wipe out the squad. Alaric personally rushed to the detonator to cut the wires. He made it in time, saving his men, but the last bomb detonated right in his face. A forgotten hero: Blinded, wounded, but alive, he returned home. The Empire awarded him the highest orders and retired him. The first five years were pure hell, as Alaric tried to adjust to the darkness while the world around him rapidly changed. Eventually, he bought an abandoned estate and completely cut himself off from society.