"No." His gaze flicked to Dante. "It's about him."
Dante placed a hand on his chest in mock surprise. "Me? Why, Young Master Kael, I didn't know you cared."
Kael ignored him, his focus never shifting from Seren. "Step outside."
Seren narrowed her eyes. "Kael, I—"
His voice dropped, low and commanding. "Now."
Something in his tone sent a shiver through her, a silent warning. She glanced at Dante, who merely smirked and waved.
"Well, this is exciting," he mused. "Don't do anything too scandalous, you two."
Seren huffed, setting her drink down before following Kael out of the club.
The night air was cool as they stepped onto the quiet street. Kael turned to her, his expression unreadable.
"Explain."
Seren crossed her arms. "Explain what? That my cousin dragged me out for a night of fun before I get locked into a cold, suffocating marriage?"
Kael's gaze darkened. "You should be more careful with your public image."
She scoffed. "Oh, please. Dante is my cousin. There's no scandal here."
Kael's expression remained stone cold. "The media won't care about that distinction. And neither will certain people waiting for an opportunity to undermine our families."
Seren frowned, the weight of his words settling over her. She knew how fragile reputations were in their world. One wrong move could send the press into a frenzy.
But she refused to let Kael dictate her every move.
"You don't control me, Kael," she said, her voice firm. "I still have my freedom."
For a moment, silence stretched between them. Then Kael took a step closer, his cold aura pressing against hers.
"Freedom," he murmured. "You signed the contract. You know what's expected."
Seren tilted her chin up defiantly. "And I've followed the rules, haven't I?"
Kael studied her for a moment before exhaling sharply. "Just… be mindful."
It was as close to concern as he would ever show.
Seren sighed. "Fine. But you could have just called instead of showing up like some jealous fiancé."
Kael's eyes narrowed. "Jealous?"
She smirked. "If I didn't know better, I'd say you were worried about me."
Kael's expression didn't waver. "Don't flatter yourself."
With that, he turned and walked away, his presence leaving a lingering chill in the air.
Seren watched him go, a strange mix of amusement and frustration swirling inside her.
Dante emerged from the club, grinning. "That was deliciously dramatic."
Seren groaned. "Shut up, Dante."
He laughed, slinging an arm around her shoulders. "Oh, cousin. This marriage is going to be so entertaining."
Seren wasn't so sure. But one thing was certain—life with Kael Velyne was never dull.
*********************************************
The sun had barely begun to rise, casting a soft golden hue across the grand mansion. Seren Delyth stood before her vanity, staring at her reflection in disbelief. Her wedding dress, a delicate fusion of lace, satin, and pearls, sparkled under the light, the intricate beadwork almost hypnotizing. She was supposed to be the bride today, yet everything about the moment felt surreal.
"You sure about this?" A familiar voice broke the silence, smooth and teasing.
Seren turned, seeing her cousin Dante leaning casually against the doorframe. His signature smirk was in place, though his eyes held a hint of genuine concern. Dante, the movie star heartthrob with a magnetic charm, was always a contradiction—famous, yet somehow always available when she needed him.
"I don't know. Am I?" Seren sighed, looking back at herself in the mirror.
Dante strolled in, his long legs taking him across the room with a sense of effortless grace. He looked every bit the celebrity—dark, tousled hair, striking features, and a presence that commanded attention even when he wasn't trying. He stood next to her, eyeing the dress as if it were some kind of priceless artifact. "I mean, the dress is beautiful, but I can't say I'm impressed by the guy. Kael Velyne?" He paused, cocking an eyebrow. "Might as well have been a robot. You've met him, right? I think he was born without a sense of humor."
Seren smirked, but there was a touch of sadness behind her smile. "I wish you were wrong."
Dante threw his hands up dramatically. "Well, of course, I'm not wrong. Look, I know you're feeling the weight of the world on your shoulders right now, but don't forget you're doing this for you. This is your life, too. Not just some boring corporate merger," he teased, his voice light.
"Merger. That's one way to put it," Seren replied dryly, rolling her eyes. "But seriously, Dante… I don't know how to even talk to him. He's... so cold. Every time I try to have a conversation, it's like I'm talking to a brick wall."
"Well, lucky for you, I'm here to break through that wall," Dante said with a wink. "You've got this. You always do."
Seren let out a reluctant laugh, shaking her head. "If I survive the next few hours, I'll owe you big time."
"Deal," Dante grinned, reaching for a glass of water on the bedside table. "Anyway, it's your wedding. You're the one wearing the big dress. I'll be here to remind you that life's not all doom and gloom."
Before Seren could respond, her mother's voice rang from the doorway. "Seren, darling, we need to finish the final preparations."
Her mother, Lady Delyth, entered the room, her eyes taking in the sight of the dress and the two of them. Seren's mother was a statuesque woman with an air of aristocracy that was impossible to ignore. She had always been poised, elegant, and effortlessly authoritative, and today, she was no different.
Lady Delyth's gaze softened for just a moment as she took in Seren. "You look breathtaking, my dear. I can't believe the day has finally arrived."
Seren smiled faintly but didn't quite meet her mother's eyes. "Thanks, Mom. I just… I don't know if I'm ready for this."
"Oh, darling, no one is ever truly ready for something as monumental as marriage. But you'll adapt," Lady Delyth said with a practiced smile. She took a step closer, inspecting the gown, her fingers smoothing the fabric delicately. "Kael may seem distant, but that's just his way. You'll grow into this. You'll make it work, just as I did with your father."
Seren nodded, but the uncertainty lingered in her chest like a heavy weight. "I hope so."
"You will," her mother replied confidently, before turning to Dante. "And I trust you're taking care of her?"
Dante raised his hands in mock defense. "Always, Auntie. I'm just here to make sure she doesn't freak out before the 'I dos.'"
Lady Delyth chuckled and gave him a nod of approval before turning back to Seren. "We'll see you at the ceremony. Don't keep us waiting, darling. This is your moment."
Meanwhile, on the other side of the mansion, Kael Velyne stood in front of the mirror, the stark white shirt of his tuxedo barely visible under the dark jacket that fit him perfectly. He looked like he was preparing for an event in the corporate world, not a wedding.
Elliot, his best friend, lounged casually on a plush armchair nearby, flicking through his phone with a bored expression. As always, Elliot wore his suit with an easy charm, his slightly disheveled hair somehow adding to his appeal.
"You ready for this?" Elliot asked, glancing up from his phone with a cheeky grin. "You know, 'I do' is just the beginning. You don't want to mess this up, man."
Kael didn't respond immediately. His sharp eyes were fixed on his reflection, as if searching for something in his own gaze. He hated this. He hated the fact that this marriage was nothing more than an obligation. He hated the way his father had practically pushed him into this arrangement. And worst of all, he hated the fact that Seren Delyth, the woman he was supposed to spend his life with, felt like a stranger.
"I'm fine," Kael said at last, though his voice was distant.
Elliot raised an eyebrow, clearly unconvinced. "You sure? You look like you're about to face a firing squad, not walk down an aisle."
"I'm fine," Kael repeated, but this time his gaze softened just a touch. "It's just business. I'll get through it."
Elliot let out a short laugh. "If you say so. But remember, man, no one's going to buy that 'business' act if you look like you're about to chew through your own tie. You've gotta show up for your girl. Be human, Kael. At least for today."
Kael's expression didn't change. "I'll do my part."
Elliot stood up, brushing invisible dust from his suit. "Alright, alright. Just don't screw it up. I'll be there, ready to back you up when you need me."
****************************************************
Back in Seren's suite, the final preparations were well underway. Her bridesmaids—Vivia, Maya, and a couple of close family friends—were running around like madwomen, helping adjust the gown, making sure everything was perfect, and adding their own quirks to the scene.
Vivia, ever the perfectionist, was already fidgeting with her emerald green dress, making sure every wrinkle was ironed out, her sharp eyes scanning the room. Maya, on the other hand, stood by the window, arms crossed, looking as though she was more likely to get a paper cut from all the glitter than actually help.
"You ready for this?" Vivia asked Seren, her voice a mix of excitement and curiosity.