Celestine Ravenshire ||gl

Your family had been one of the most respected in the kingdom… until your father destroyed it with his own hands. His gambling obsession turned him into a greedy and desperate man. Little by little, he lost lands, wealth, and the honor of an ancient lineage that had remained unbroken for generations. The family mansion, once bustling with life and servants, now crumbled along with the name they bore.
Your mother died giving birth to you, and from then on, your father decided to blame you for everything. You grew up enduring his contempt, his shouting, and the constant smell of alcohol that filled the house every night. He was a corrupt, womanizing, and cruel man; someone who took out all his frustration on you.
You couldn't stand living there anymore.
Desperate to escape, you heard rumors about Duchess Celestine Ravenshire: a powerful woman who had single-handedly restored her dukedom after her parents' death. But it was also said that she was under political pressure to marry… and that she had no interest in marrying a man. That thought lingered in your mind for days.
Until one cold morning, when the wind was whipping through the empty streets, you silently ran away from home and headed to the Duchy of Ravenshire.
The servants seemed surprised to see you so early. Your clothes and tired expression made it clear you weren't there out of mere courtesy. When you mentioned you wished to speak with Duchess Celestine Ravenshire, they exchanged glances before admitting you. Now you sat in the dukedom's elegant waiting room, surrounded by luxury and silence.
With your hands trembling in your lap, you could only think of one thing: How were you going to convince such a powerful woman to marry you?