Zayden's POV:
After completing my meeting with some board members, I walked towards my private office. As I entered, I found my grandfather was sitting inside the office, waiting for me. The smoke from his cigar curled out in the air.
His gaze followed me as I approached the desk, his silence heavy with unspoken words. When I sat in the head chair across from him, it felt more empowering. This chair, this office, had once been his domain... his throne.
The familiar leather cracked beneath me, and for the first time, I realized the significance of sitting in a seat that held immense power and authority.
"How did the meeting go?" My grandfather asked, sounding genuinely curious although he trusted me to handle the interaction, knowing if I was shown alone to the conference hall, it would set the tone.
"It went well for the most part. But there seems to be a bit of hesitation," I confessed honestly.
Grandfather's serious gaze swung to mine, laced with understanding.
"And where is this hesitation stemming from?"
"From the fact that I'm unmarried and have already taken over the seat."
"But you already knew that was going to be a problem," I threw back at my grandfather, who had raised this topic a few nights ago during our family dinner. "You just wanted me to hear it from those investors."
Grandfather stared at me with a calculating look in his eyes.
"All the previous lords were married prior to ascending the throne."
"I don't care, Nonno," I snapped, clenching my jaw.
Many powerful men in our world marry for alliances and to strengthen their status, but I had barely any interest to settle down like that. I had wished to be the first Lord who wouldn't be forced to marry before taking over the organization.
"Zayden, we both know very well that we can't avoid the usual traditional rules and pillars when it comes to the businesses for which we are above other organizations." He firmly spoke, the worry line on his forehead caressing. "We want our reputation to remain as is and show our associates stability. Remember, you still haven't earned the seat until you do this one thing."
I straightened in my seat, the weight of his words settling on my shoulders.
"I've proved myself to everyone otherwise I wouldn't be here, Nonno. There is no need to prove myself further by wearing a ring on my finger. So my answer for marriage will still remain no," I said sharply, having full faith in my skills and ability to grow our businesses.
Besides, I'd put my blood and sweat into helping grandfather run strict operations both from a legal and illegal perspective. It didn't even make sense that I could lose everything I worked towards because I wasn't married.
Grandfather shook her head, probably being exhausted about my stubbornness.
"In our world, every king has a queen, Zayden. You have expectations to meet and an image to portrait."
"An image of a married man who's a vicious leader and a loving husband?" I scoffed, clenching my fists under the table, resisting the urge to roll my eyes.
Grandfather's expression shifted, his hand waving dismissively, as if he were tired of the argument.
"Enough of this. You will soon understand the significance of my words," he grumbled, pushing back his chair slightly.
"I'll handle it, Nonno," I assured him, feeling the familiar surge of control as I spoke.
He gave a small, calculated smile, though the tension still lingered in the air.
"By the way, I heard Mayor Sinclair has hired Ryle Miller for his son's murder case. I hope you're aware of Miller's reputation as a famous detective," Grandfather said, which was a reminder that I should focus on this too instead of taking it lightly.
I glanced at the files about Mayor Henry Sinclair that Dante brought during the afternoon which I haven't checked yet. However, Dante informed, that he did find some secrets about Mayor Sinclair which we can use against him to cut down his power.
"Yeah, I'm, Nonno. And I'm already working on it," I said, grabbing the file from the table and opening it lazily to take a look at the Mayor's deeds.
As I absentmindedly flipped through the pages, my eyes froze on one particular picture... My little bird.
The breath caught in my throat.
It was her picture. The one I'd been desperately searching for who stuck into my mind like a haunting melody I couldn't escape. Her emerald eyes stared back at me from the photograph, capturing that same mixture of vulnerability and defiance I remembered. Edith Florence Sinclair.
My pulse quickened as I gripped to the edge of the paper, the rest of the room fading into the background. I scanned the document, every word confirming my worst fear. She wasn't just another face in the crowd, she was the Mayor's daughter.
My mouth left dry at the realization that I've messed up fucking badly.
"Something wrong?" Grandfather's voice cut through the haze.
"Mayor Sinclair has a daughter?", I asked, swallowing hard, trying to keep my composure.
"Yeah, he does." Grandfather confirmed, leaning back his chair. "But I guess the Mayor doesn't keep her in the spotlight as much as he did to Noah."
I couldn't believe it. The girl I've been fixated on, was the sister of Noah Sinclair. The man I'd killed.
Grandfather's sharp gaze didn't miss a thing, and I could feel his eyes on me, trying to read my thoughts. "Zayden," he said, his voice a low warning. "What's going on? If there's a complication, you better speak up now."
"She's... the one," I muttered, almost to myself, unable to keep it any longer. "The one I met one night... and never saw again."
Grandfather narrowed his eyes in confusion. "Is it her whom Lucas mentioned about a few nights ago? The woman you were looking for?"
"Yeah, it's her," I admitted and I didn't need to explain further.
Grandfather's expression darkened for a moment as he processed what I'd just revealed. His fingers drummed slowly on the arm of his chair. "She is the mayor's daughter... And Noah's sister," he said softly, his voice thoughtful, almost intrigued.
There was a pause, and then, suddenly, a light sparked in his eyes, his lips curving into a slow, deliberate smile. "I guess, we have found your bride, Zayden."
"What?" I managed to say, completely thrown off by the unexpected turn.
The fact that Grandfather suggested she be my wife was alarming.
"I will not get married. Nonno. And I don't need to marry her to deal with the Mayor," I continued, even though a possessive part of me roared at the thought of owning her but I just couldn't picture someone so innocent trapped in my world of danger.
Grandfather raised an eyebrow, clearly unimpressed with my resistance.
"I know you, Zayden. And I don't think you would ever simply chase a woman only if you weren't truly interested in her. Besides, she could be a useful weapon to make Mayor Sinclair back down and close Noah's case. You'll be killing two birds with one stone."
I pondered over this, letting my brain decipher grandfather's words. "I can't believe you're seriously suggesting the Mayor's daughter."
"I'm not asking you to love her. You just need her as your wife as well as to keep the Mayor's power in check," he amended, his expression cooling.
With every passing second, it became increasingly obvious what I needed to do. I couldn't believe I was actually agreeing to this.
"What if the Mayor says no?" I asked, considering the mayor wouldn't have a murderer as his son-in-law, especially the one who killed his son.
Grandfather chuckled lightly. "I have no doubt you'll make Henry Sinclair see reason."
My heart pounded in my chest as I stared down at the photograph of Edith, her face haunting me. I couldn't deny that part of me wanted her for reasons that had nothing to do with Mayor Sinclair.
As my wife, she'd be within my grasp, and I could finally feed my sickening obsession with her.
Grandfather was right. Every king needs a queen and Edith Florence Sinclair would be mine.
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The story is a dark romance and will have explicit scenes throughout the story with which some of you may feel uncomfortable, read at your own risk.]