Seren was prepared for this moment. She had rehearsed it in her mind over and over again. But as Kael leaned down, his lips touching hers in a swift, business-like motion, it felt more like a transaction than a wedding kiss. The kiss was brief, cool, and distant. There was no passion. No spark. Nothing that even remotely resembled the connection she had once dreamed of.
And yet…
For just a second, just one—Seren forgot to breathe.
Then it was over.
The kiss was cold.
Not in temperature, but in execution.
It was controlled, calculated—a perfect illusion of intimacy for the world to see.
The applause was deafening.
The room erupted in applause, but Seren's heart felt strangely hollow. She glanced at Kael, but he wasn't looking at her. He was already stepping back, his face once again a mask of composure.
As they turned to face the audience, Seren felt a strange emptiness in her chest. This was her new life. This was her future.
Seren forced a smile as they turned to face the crowd, their hands entwined in a flawless display of unity.
A king of frost.
And his unwilling flame.
And so, the marriage began.
And yet, it felt like she was walking into the unknown.
The reception that followed was a whirlwind of social obligations, handshakes, and carefully crafted smiles. The ballroom was alive with chatter as politicians, businessmen, and military figures milled around, congratulating the newlywed couple.
Kael remained distant, as always, but there was a subtle shift in his demeanor. He spoke when necessary, answering questions and greeting guests with the same professional politeness he always exhibited. Seren, on the other hand, felt as though she was floating through the crowd, her feet barely touching the ground.
Her mother was by her side, introducing her to various dignitaries, while her father quietly observed the proceedings, his proud smile never leaving his face. Dante, ever the troublemaker, was in the corner, exchanging banter with a few of the guests who seemed equally entertained and perplexed by his charm.
Vivia and Maya stuck by her side, offering occasional words of comfort, but even they seemed like distant figures, as though the weight of the situation had created an invisible barrier between them.
The evening was a blur. A flurry of people, conversations, and obligations that felt more like a performance than a celebration.
As the night wore on, Seren found herself standing on the balcony, looking out over the estate's meticulously manicured gardens. The cool night air washed over her, but it did little to ease the knot in her stomach.
She didn't know what to expect next. All she knew was that this was only the beginning.
The Velyne mansion was a fortress of wealth and prestige, a symbol of power that loomed over the land with its towering spires and pristine marble halls. It was the kind of place that could make anyone feel small, no matter how confident they were. And yet, as Seren stepped through its grand entrance for the first time as a married woman, she felt anything but intimidated.
Annoyed? Yes. Exhausted? Absolutely. But intimidated? Not a chance.
The moment she crossed the threshold, she was greeted by an army of staff lined up in perfect formation. Every maid, butler, and security personnel stood with impeccable posture, their eyes sharp and observant. At the front of the group stood Kael's parents—his father, a man whose presence alone could silence a room, and his mother, elegant and unreadable.
"Welcome home, Lady Velyne," one of the head butlers announced with a deep bow.
Lady Velyne.
Seren barely resisted the urge to shudder. The title sounded wrong, like she was wearing someone else's name. She glanced at Kael, whose face was as cold and indifferent as ever. Did this man ever smile?
Kael's grandfather, Lord Eldon Velyne, sat in a grand chair near the staircase, his piercing eyes assessing Seren like she was some puzzle to be solved. And then there was Thalina, Kael's cousin, watching from the sidelines with her usual smirk, like she was just here to enjoy the show.
The Velyne mansion was an architectural marvel—looming, regal, and utterly devoid of warmth.
Seren had never seen so much gray, black, and white in one place. The mansion was like Kael himself—cold, perfect, and designed to make people feel small.
As she stepped inside, her heels clicking against the marble floors, she let out a slow whistle. "Wow. This place looks like it came with a warning label."
Kael, walking ahead of her, didn't slow down. Didn't acknowledge her words. Didn't even glance back.
Of course. Why would he?
Their grand entrance didn't go unnoticed. The Velyne family was already waiting.
At the head of the hall sat Lord Eldon Velyne, Kael's grandfather—a man whose presence alone could silence a room. His father, Lord Draven Velyne, stood beside him, his sharp gaze assessing her like a business deal. Next to him, Kael's mother, Lady Evelyne Velyne, exuded a quiet elegance, her expression unreadable.
And then there was Thalina, Kael's younger cousin, practically vibrating with excitement.
Thalina clapped her hands together the moment she saw Seren. "Oh my gosh! You're even prettier up close! This is so exciting!"
Seren blinked. "Uh, thanks?"
Thalina leaned in, whispering, "You'll tell me everything about married life, right? Like, is Kael secretly romantic? Does he—"
Kael cut in, his voice like frosted steel. "Thalina."
She flinched. "Right. Later, then."
Lord Eldon's lips twitched in amusement. "Welcome to the family, Seren." His gaze was knowing, as if he already foresaw the disaster this marriage would be.
Seren smirked. "Oh, don't worry. Kael and I will be just adorable."
Kael, standing beside her, didn't even blink.
Lord Draven finally spoke. "Your room is prepared." His tone was absolute—final. There was no discussion.
Kael inclined his head slightly toward his parents. "We'll be retiring for the night."
That was all he said. No explanation, no pleasantries—just a direct statement, as if he were giving a military order.
His mother, Lady Evelyne Velyne, raised a perfectly sculpted eyebrow. "Of course. But do be mindful, dear son. Your wife might find the mansion… a bit overwhelming."
Kael nodded once and walked away.
Seren, never one to let a moment slip by without adding her own spark, clasped her hands together and sighed dramatically. "Oh, don't worry about me. I'm already overwhelmed by the sheer amount of tension in the air. Honestly, it's so thick, I could cut it with a butter knife."
A few of the maids visibly tensed, as if they weren't sure whether they were allowed to react to that. Thalina, on the other hand, let out a laugh, clearly entertained.
Kael shot Seren a warning look, but she just grinned at him in response.
"Come." He turned on his heel, leading her toward their shared quarters.
Shared. Quarters.
Seren had almost forgotten about that little detail.
As they walked, she whispered, "Just to be clear, we're not actually sharing a room, right?"
Kael didn't even glance at her as he replied, "We are."
She stopped mid-step. "Hold on. Back up. What?"
Kael turned his head slightly, his gaze unreadable. "My grandfather insisted. Appearances matter."
Seren groaned. "Of course he did."
The staff discreetly looked away as the new couple bickered their way up the grand staircase.
Seren hesitated before following.
Oh, this was going to be fun.
The moment they entered the room, Seren stopped in her tracks.
It was massive.
A grand chandelier hung from the ceiling, casting a golden glow over the extravagant furnishings. The windows stretched from floor to ceiling, overlooking the vast Velyne estate. A fireplace crackled warmly in the corner, and luxurious sofas lined the sitting area.
And in the very center of the room…
When Seren entered their shared bedroom, her eyes zeroed in on one very important detail.
One. Singular. Bed.
She turned sharply to Kael, who was already unbuttoning his cuffs like nothing was amiss. "Oh, absolutely not."
Kael didn't even look up. "You're free to sleep on the floor."
Her jaw dropped. "Are you serious?"
"Yes."
Kael, who was already taking off his cufflinks, barely spared her a glance. "It's just a bed."
"It's a bed that implies things, Kael."
He exhaled sharply, turning to face her fully. "This is temporary. I have no intention of interfering in your life. You stay on your side, I'll stay on mine."
Seren exhaled through her nose, counting to ten. "Look, I get that you're basically a human iceberg, but there's such a thing as basic human decency."
Kael finally turned his head, his glacial gaze locking onto hers. "You expect decency in a contract marriage?"
Seren crossed her arms. "I expect basic comfort."
"Then sleep quietly."
Seren narrowed her eyes. "And if I wake up to find you suddenly a sleep-cuddler?"
Kael's expression remained flat. "I don't cuddle."
"Good," she huffed, making her way to the closet where her things had been prepared. "Then we'll build a pillow fortress in the middle. Just in case."