"I don't hate men, even though I was abused by one all my life. But to be looked down by a 'man' is something that I would never, tolerate. Ever."
What confused the world, didn't confuse her. What bothered her, didn't bother the world. What should she think about, how she should behave, how the world should work - she was taught it all, yet she remained illiterate. What was right? What was wrong? Was everyone right? Or was everyone wrong?
With an ever curious mind bubbling with questions that she couldn't get respite from, Regina is ready for a future carved and paved by her father, the Duke - not realizing how she is just another pawn to him. The initial setback, however, inures her to the cruel reality of the world she had stepped into and incurs upon her the understanding of her father's intentions. With a determined resolve of getting back at the Duke and his acquaintances for years of mistreatment and abuse, Regina sets out on a journey to uncover their darkest and the dirtiest secrets, unbeknownst to the fate that awaits her at the end of it.
Elliot's partner was his whole world, but after Allan's death, his ghost haunts Elliot's dreams. Everyone tells Elliot to move on, but he isn't sure he can.
*****
It's been a year since the love of Elliot's life, Allan, passed away. Everyone thinks he should have recovered after that much time, but Allan still haunts Elliot every night. He struggles to maintain relationships with his family, and despite a coworkers interest he can't summon up the courage to date. Elliot is living for the past, because to live for the present means he'll have to live with a hole in his heart. But the question Elliot has to face chases him through his monotonous days: is mourning Allan with everything he has truly living?
[[word count: 40,000-50,000 words]]