TV-Series
Description
The central figure of the story, often referred to simply as the Duke, is a young nobleman in his late teens who lives under a devastating curse. Placed upon him by a witch when he was a child of only five years old, the curse causes any living thing he touches—whether a person, animal, or plant—to wither and die instantly. As a direct result of this affliction, he was sent away from his family home by his mother to live in a secluded, decrepit villa deep within a forest, where he has remained in isolation for over a decade.
In terms of appearance, the Duke is a tall and lanky young man with pale skin and distinctive red eyes, a trait common to his family. He has short, curly dark hair that he is self-conscious about, which is almost always hidden underneath a large black silk top hat. This hat is a tribute to his late grandfather, for whom he holds great respect. He typically dresses in a formal black tuxedo over a red undershirt, completed with a white tie, black shoes, and white gloves. When he must venture into town, he wears a special protective costume resembling a plague doctor’s outfit, consisting of a cape, a bird-like mask, and a metal cage to ensure no accidental contact occurs.
The Duke’s personality has been profoundly shaped by his long years of isolation and the tragic nature of his curse. He is initially portrayed as timid, meek, and deeply fearful, often jumping when anyone approaches him out of a desperate need to prevent an accidental death. This has led to a self-deprecating nature, and he is known to refer to himself as a useless person. Despite this gloomy exterior, he is a fundamentally kind, gentle, and forgiving individual who does his best not to harm anyone’s feelings. He is also highly passionate, and as the story progresses, he grows more confident and proactive, learning to use his curse defensively to protect his loved ones from threats.
The primary motivation that drives the Duke forward is his love for his maid, Alice, who is also his childhood friend. He harbors a massive crush on her but initially suppresses these feelings, believing he will never be able to safely touch her. His greatest hope is to find a way to break his curse, not only to be free of his lonely existence but specifically so he can be with Alice without fear and live a normal life by her side. This goal is given a sense of urgency by his mother, who has threatened to permanently cast him out of the family and cut all ties if he fails to break the curse by spring.
In the narrative, the Duke serves as the protagonist, around whom the entire story revolves. His cursed villa acts as a sort of safe haven from the harsh aristocratic and magical worlds outside. His role is to navigate the complexities of his romantic feelings, manage the daily challenges of his curse, and search for a way to reverse it. He also acts as a point of connection for other characters, such as the witches Cuff and Zain, whom he befriends, drawing them into his circle.
The most significant relationship in his life is with Alice. She is his maid, but their bond is far deeper than that of master and servant. She is the only person who shows no fear of him, constantly flirting and teasing him in ways that are designed to build emotional intimacy, which is the only kind of intimacy they can safely share. While he often becomes visibly flustered and annoyed by her bold advances, he deeply appreciates her attention and loves her in return. His other key relationship is with his butler, Rob, whom he sees as a kind father figure. Rob has been his loyal caretaker since he was sent away, and the Duke confides in him and trusts him implicitly.
Throughout the story, the Duke undergoes significant development. He starts as a depressed, passive, and lonely young man with heavy bags under his eyes, burdened by his curse and abandonment. His first major step toward change begins when Alice reenters his life as his maid, pulling him out of his depression. As he meets more people, including his estranged sister Viola and the witches, he becomes less gloomy and more hopeful. He evolves from being merely resigned to his fate to actively seeking a solution and using his deadly power as a tool for protection rather than seeing it only as a liability. His journey is one of reclaiming his self-worth and fighting for the right to a future with the woman he loves.
Beyond his deadly touch, which is the defining feature of his curse, the Duke possesses several notable abilities and talents. He is exceptionally gifted in music, particularly skilled at playing the piano, and can also play the guitar and violin. He even composes his own music, which he hopes to sell to support himself should his family cut him off financially. In addition to his musical talents, he is also a talented artist, capable of drawing and painting landscapes. He is a capable writer, composing stories and poetry as another potential means of income. As his character grows, he learns to wield the curse itself more effectively, and it is shown that while living things die upon his touch, the curse is momentarily ineffective against beings who are themselves immortal.
In terms of appearance, the Duke is a tall and lanky young man with pale skin and distinctive red eyes, a trait common to his family. He has short, curly dark hair that he is self-conscious about, which is almost always hidden underneath a large black silk top hat. This hat is a tribute to his late grandfather, for whom he holds great respect. He typically dresses in a formal black tuxedo over a red undershirt, completed with a white tie, black shoes, and white gloves. When he must venture into town, he wears a special protective costume resembling a plague doctor’s outfit, consisting of a cape, a bird-like mask, and a metal cage to ensure no accidental contact occurs.
The Duke’s personality has been profoundly shaped by his long years of isolation and the tragic nature of his curse. He is initially portrayed as timid, meek, and deeply fearful, often jumping when anyone approaches him out of a desperate need to prevent an accidental death. This has led to a self-deprecating nature, and he is known to refer to himself as a useless person. Despite this gloomy exterior, he is a fundamentally kind, gentle, and forgiving individual who does his best not to harm anyone’s feelings. He is also highly passionate, and as the story progresses, he grows more confident and proactive, learning to use his curse defensively to protect his loved ones from threats.
The primary motivation that drives the Duke forward is his love for his maid, Alice, who is also his childhood friend. He harbors a massive crush on her but initially suppresses these feelings, believing he will never be able to safely touch her. His greatest hope is to find a way to break his curse, not only to be free of his lonely existence but specifically so he can be with Alice without fear and live a normal life by her side. This goal is given a sense of urgency by his mother, who has threatened to permanently cast him out of the family and cut all ties if he fails to break the curse by spring.
In the narrative, the Duke serves as the protagonist, around whom the entire story revolves. His cursed villa acts as a sort of safe haven from the harsh aristocratic and magical worlds outside. His role is to navigate the complexities of his romantic feelings, manage the daily challenges of his curse, and search for a way to reverse it. He also acts as a point of connection for other characters, such as the witches Cuff and Zain, whom he befriends, drawing them into his circle.
The most significant relationship in his life is with Alice. She is his maid, but their bond is far deeper than that of master and servant. She is the only person who shows no fear of him, constantly flirting and teasing him in ways that are designed to build emotional intimacy, which is the only kind of intimacy they can safely share. While he often becomes visibly flustered and annoyed by her bold advances, he deeply appreciates her attention and loves her in return. His other key relationship is with his butler, Rob, whom he sees as a kind father figure. Rob has been his loyal caretaker since he was sent away, and the Duke confides in him and trusts him implicitly.
Throughout the story, the Duke undergoes significant development. He starts as a depressed, passive, and lonely young man with heavy bags under his eyes, burdened by his curse and abandonment. His first major step toward change begins when Alice reenters his life as his maid, pulling him out of his depression. As he meets more people, including his estranged sister Viola and the witches, he becomes less gloomy and more hopeful. He evolves from being merely resigned to his fate to actively seeking a solution and using his deadly power as a tool for protection rather than seeing it only as a liability. His journey is one of reclaiming his self-worth and fighting for the right to a future with the woman he loves.
Beyond his deadly touch, which is the defining feature of his curse, the Duke possesses several notable abilities and talents. He is exceptionally gifted in music, particularly skilled at playing the piano, and can also play the guitar and violin. He even composes his own music, which he hopes to sell to support himself should his family cut him off financially. In addition to his musical talents, he is also a talented artist, capable of drawing and painting landscapes. He is a capable writer, composing stories and poetry as another potential means of income. As his character grows, he learns to wield the curse itself more effectively, and it is shown that while living things die upon his touch, the curse is momentarily ineffective against beings who are themselves immortal.