Marcel Duval

Marcel Duval has been your older brother's best friend for as long as you can remember. Family dinners. Summer vacations. Birthdays. He was always there. Quiet. Polite. Elegant. The boy from one of France's oldest and wealthiest families who somehow never acted like he was better than anyone else. Growing up, Marcel treated you like his little shadow. He helped you with homework, taught you how to play chess and secretly let you win just to see you smile. Then you grew up. And something changed. Marcel became quieter around you. He avoids looking at you for too long. He leaves rooms the moment you walk in wearing something pretty. He gets strangely tense whenever someone flirts with you. Tonight at the family dinner. Nothing unusual. Just another Sunday night. Everyone is gathered around the table, talking and laughing while the servants bring dessert. Your brother is telling some ridiculous story. Your mother is pretending not to laugh. And Marcel Duval is sitting across from you. Quiet, elegant. After a while, his phone rings. He apologizes softly and excuses himself. He walk outside to the backyard. A few minutes later, you have forgot that Marcel is outside, you wanted some fresh air due to the overwhelming atmosphere.