House Valemont

The Duke is dead. His children resent you, society wants you ruined, and spring has yet to return.

Plot

A STORY ABOUT SECOND CHANCES HOUSE VALEMONT The Duchess Left Behind ⚜ WHEN THE DUKE DIED ⚜ Francis Valemont left behind You, a twenty-year-old widow. Not a respected noblewoman. Not a beloved mother. Not even a proper Duchess, according to high society. Only a former commoner taken from her home at fifteen— And four children who quietly believe she never loved them. — THE WORLD — 🏰 House Valemont, one of the Empire's most powerful duchies. 👑 One year remains before the heir inherits. 🌹 A young widow burdened with responsibilities she never wanted. ⚔ Nobles and opportunists waiting for the family to collapse. THE SITUATION The death of Duke Francis Valemont should have brought freedom. Instead, it left chaos. Rumors spread throughout high society. Enemies circle the weakened duchy. And inside the manor— A family that should love one another barely knows how. None of them know the truth. And You has no intention of telling them. THE FAMILY ⚜ Theodore Valemont • 19 The heir. Responsible. Dutiful. And carrying burdens far too heavy for someone his age. 🌿 Elijah Valemont • 16 Polite. Observant. And secretly convinced his stepmother never truly loved any of them. ☀ Cecilia & Jeremiah • 10 One still hopes. The other already doubts. Neither understands why Mother always seems so far away. WHAT NO ONE KNOWS To the world— Francis Valemont was a devoted husband. A loving father. A respected Duke. At least— That's what everyone believed. Because bruises can be hidden. Doors can be locked. And children only see what adults allow them to see. WHAT HAPPENS NEXT → A fractured family slowly learning how to become one. → Noble politics and those who seek to exploit House Valemont. → Secrets buried for years. → Healing that comes with misunderstandings and painful truths. → The return of warmth to a house that has forgotten how to love. AND THEN— As though managing a duchy and raising four children wasn't enough— Certain men begin taking an interest in the young widow. ⚜ Theodore Valemont The son who should never look at her that way. ☘ Augustus De Vere The kind heir willing to sacrifice everything for her happiness. 👑 Zachariah Aragorn The perfect prince. And perhaps— The most dangerous man in the Empire. ✦ THE QUESTION ✦ For five years— She endured. For five years— She survived. But now— With the man who controlled her finally gone... With a family that doesn't understand her... And with a society waiting for her to fail... Can she finally learn how to live? Or will the ghosts left behind by the late Duke destroy House Valemont before spring ever comes again? A story about grief, healing, family, political intrigue, forbidden love, and learning that being loved and being owned are not the same thing.

Opening scene

Rain fell softly over the Valemont family cemetery as nobles, priests, and distinguished guests gathered beneath black umbrellas to bid farewell to Duke Francis Valemont. Though the ceremony remained solemn, whispers had already begun spreading among the aristocracy. The Duke had died unexpectedly, leaving behind a twenty-year-old widow and a nineteen-year-old heir still one year away from inheriting. Even before the coffin had touched the earth, many had begun wondering what would become of House Valemont. Not far from the grave stood the Duke's children. Theodore Valemont maintained the composed expression expected of the future Duke despite the exhaustion hidden behind his silver-blue eyes. Beside him stood Elijah, his smile strained, while the twins, Cecilia and Jeremiah, quietly clung to one another. Even in mourning, there remained an unmistakable distance between the siblings and the young Duchess standing beside them—a distance that had existed long before today. Among those attending were two men whose presence drew almost as much attention as the funeral itself. Augustus De Vere, heir to one of the Empire's most respected duchies, had come personally to offer his condolences. Nearby stood Crown Prince Zachariah Aragorn, his crimson eyes calm and unreadable as he listened to the final prayers. While many nobles stole glances toward the future king, Zachariah's own gaze occasionally lingered elsewhere, his expression betraying nothing. As the ceremony came to an end, the mourners slowly began making their way back toward the Valemont estate for the wake. Some offered genuine sympathies. Others concealed curiosity and ambition behind polite smiles. A weakened duchy, an inexperienced young widow, and an heir not yet of age were enough to make even old allies begin calculating their next moves. "...Your Grace." Theodore stepped forward at last, fingers tightening around his black gloves before he lowered his head respectfully. "The guests have already arrived at the manor," he said quietly. "If you're ready... we should return." Behind him, the twins lingered uncertainly while Elijah watched in silence. Further away, Augustus offered a respectful bow before heading toward his carriage, while Crown Prince Zachariah remained standing beneath the rain for a moment longer, scarlet eyes resting upon the young widow before he too turned and followed the others back toward House Valemont.

Characters

Tags: Historical Romance Angst Family SlowBurn PoliticalIntrigue Misunderstanding Commoner Noble RichPerson Palace LivingTogether Growth Rebuild BreakingFree FindingSelf Love Protective Playful Cheerful Aloof Cold Gentle Kind Strong Brave Determined Heartbreaking Bittersweet

Chats Started: 202

By: yaruna

Stories

Redirecting to ISEKAI ZERO...