Luna managed a smile, though her heart was racing.As Kiad stood up from his chair, his movements graceful and measured, he was a picture of a gentleman.
"Miss Ross," Kiad greeted her with a kind smile, his voice deep and calm, carrying a warmth that put her slightly at ease.
"It's an honor to finally meet you." Kiad spoke.
"Thank you," Luna replied, her voice barely above a whisper as she lowered her gaze briefly; his attention was making her pulse quicken. She managed to smile a little.
"It's... it's nice to meet you too, Mr. Rylan."
"Please, call me Kiad," he said gently, sensing her unease. He gestured toward the chair in front of his desk. "Would you like to sit?" Luna nodded, grateful for the gesture, and slowly made her way to the chair. She could feel Kiad's eyes on her.
Luna sat in the plush chair across from Kiad, her fingers clasped tightly in her lap to still their nervous trembling.
Her entire life had been sculpted around the reputation of the Ross family, and now, sitting in front of the man who would soon become her husband.
"I hope the journey here wasn't too tiring for you," he said, his tone considerate."No, it was fine," Luna replied, her fingers fiddling with the edge of her sleeve as she looked up at him through her lashes.
"Thank you for asking."Kiad leaned forward slightly, his expression softening as he continued.
"I understand that all of this might feel overwhelming. I want you to know that I'm here to make this as comfortable as possible for you, Luna. We're both stepping into something new, and it's important to me that you feel at ease."
Kiad appeared perfectly at ease. He leaned back in his chair, a polite smile on his face as he spoke, his tone smooth and practiced. "Luna, I hope you are happy with our father's arranging our wedding ceremony, which is going to be a grand affair. It's going to be perfect; with you by my side, the world will see what a powerful alliance we are."
Luna nodded, trying to match his smile, but there was something about his words that made her uneasy. His description of the ceremony was indeed grand, almost overwhelming in its scale and spectacle, but there was a hollowness to it. She couldn't quite put her finger on it, but as she listened to him talk, she began to notice something in his demeanor that didn't sit right with her.
"It sounds... good to me," Luna managed, her voice soft but steady.
Kiad's smile widened, but as Luna looked closer, she saw something in his eyes, It had a coldness that didn't match the warmth in his tone. "Of course, it will be special. It's important for us to present a united front, to show the world that this marriage is not just a personal union but a powerful alliance. You, as my wife, will be an essential part of that image. Together, we'll be unstoppable."
There it was again, that slight detachment in his voice, as if he were talking about a business deal rather than their future together. Luna's heart sank a little, though she tried to keep her expression neutral. She had grown up in a world where appearances were everything, where emotions were often kept hidden behind polished smiles and carefully chosen words. But now, sitting across from Kiad, she couldn't shake the feeling that he was telling her something important, even if not directly. It was as if he were trying to convey a message that lay beneath the surface of his polite words a warning, perhaps, or a truth that she wasn't quite ready to hear.
Luna tilted her head slightly, watching him more closely now. "It's... good to know that our families have planned everything so meticulously. It means a lot to me, knowing that they've considered every detail."
Kiad's eyes flickered with a hint of something regretful, maybe, or calculation, but it was gone as quickly as it appeared. "Yes, your family has been very thorough. They've made sure that this union will benefit both sides greatly."
Luna's heart skipped a beat. There was no mention of love, of companionship, of the life they were supposed to build together. It was all about the alliance, the benefits, the image. She knew that arranged marriages in their world often began this way, with practicality taking precedence over emotion, but still... was this all there was to it?
She hesitated, unsure of how to respond, but Kiad continued before she could find the words. "You're going to be the perfect wife, Luna. Beautiful, poised, and with the Ross name behind you, we'll be the couple everyone aspires to be. Our life together will be one of luxury and influence. I assure you, you'll have everything you could ever want."
Luna forced a smile, trying to match the enthusiasm in his words. "That's... very kind of you to say, Kiad. I'm sure we'll make a great team."
But even as she said the words, she couldn't shake the feeling that something was missing. There was no warmth in his gaze, no hint of affection or personal connection. His words were full of praise, but they felt rehearsed, as if he were reading from a script rather than speaking from the heart. And now that she was paying closer attention, she noticed that his eyes those piercing blue eyes that had initially captivated her were cold, almost empty, despite the smile that never left his lips.
Kiad's voice softened slightly, as if sensing her hesitation. "I know this is all happening quickly, and it might feel overwhelming. But trust me, Luna, everything is going to be just fine. You won't have to worry about a thing. Just focus on being the best version of yourself, and leave the rest to me."
Luna nodded slowly, her mind racing. "Of course, I'll do my best."
He leaned forward slightly, his smile never wavering. "Good. That's all I ask."
As the conversation lulled, Luna couldn't help but feel a pang of sadness. On the surface, Kiad was everything she could have hoped for polite, handsome, and clearly capable of managing the enormous responsibilities that came with their union. But underneath it all, there was a distance, a lack of genuine connection that left her feeling more alone than ever. She wanted to believe that her family had chosen well, that Kiad was the right man for her, but now, sitting across from him, she realized she had no idea who he truly was.
What kind of man was he, really? What kind of husband would he be?
Luna forced herself to smile again, a practiced, perfect smile that masked the turmoil within. "I'm looking forward to our future together, Kiad," she said.