But she wouldn't let that show.
Instead, she smirked. "I feel incredibly expensive."
Maya laughed. "That's the spirit."
Vivia nudged her. "And what about the husband? Has he seen you yet?"
Seren scoffed. "Kael? Please. That man probably thinks fashion peaked with black suits."
Maya snorted. "Honestly, you might be right."
A knock at the door.
A maid peeked in. "Young Madam, the Young Master is waiting."
Seren exhaled. "Well, time to face my beloved spouse."
Vivia and Maya gave her matching grins. "Try not to kill each other before the event starts."
Kael was waiting by the car, looking…
Predictably perfect.
A tailored black suit, crisp white shirt, silver cufflinks. Everything about him exuded control and power.
His expression? Still as unreadable as ever.
Seren descended the steps, allowing herself just a moment to enjoy the way Kael's gaze flickered over her dress.
Brief. Calculated.
But he noticed.
And that was victory enough.
She smirked. "No complaints, I hope?"
Kael's voice was smooth. "You'll do."
Seren placed a hand over her heart. "Be still, my heart. Such high praise from my loving husband."
Kael ignored her sarcasm. "Get in."
She rolled her eyes and slid into the car.
As the door closed behind them, she turned to him, studying his profile.
"So," she mused, "are you actually looking forward to this, or are you just running on pure obligation?"
Kael didn't even glance at her. "Obligation."
Seren chuckled. "Of course."
Silence settled in, save for the soft hum of the car.
Then Kael spoke. "Remember what I said."
Seren arched a brow. "Be 'appropriate'? Avoid 'reckless behavior'?"
His gaze met hers, cold and unreadable. "Yes."
Seren smirked. "Relax, husband. I'll be the perfect little Young Madam."
Kael didn't respond, but the sharpness in his gaze didn't waver.
The venue was nothing short of extravagant.
A grand ballroom with towering chandeliers, marble floors, and walls adorned with subtle yet unmistakable opulence.
Guests were already mingling—men in finely cut suits, women in designer gowns, each person a walking symbol of wealth and power.
Seren recognized some names from the file Kael had given her.
The Aurelius Group. The Lancaster Consortium. The Holloway Corporation.
Powerful, influential, dangerous.
She exhaled, smoothing her dress.
Then she felt it—Kael's hand resting lightly on the small of her back.
A reminder.
A warning.
She turned her head slightly, meeting his cool gaze.
He leaned in, voice low. "Let's go."
And just like that, they stepped into the lion's den.
The first group they approached consisted of men who looked like they owned half the world.
And, in some ways, they did.
One of them, a man in his late fifties with ruthless blue eyes and a knowing smirk, turned to Kael.
"Ah, Young Master Velyne," he greeted smoothly. "And this must be your lovely wife."
Seren offered a practiced smile. "Miss Seren Velyne. Pleasure to meet you."
The man chuckled. "She's quick, this one."
Kael remained impassive. "She's capable."
Seren resisted the urge to elbow him.
The conversation shifted to business, investments, and high-stakes deals.
Seren listened, careful not to interject unless necessary.
She wasn't stupid enough to try and prove herself in a circle of men who had been playing this game for decades.
But she was smart enough to observe.
To learn.
And Kael?
Kael was flawless.
His responses were calm, direct, and precise.
He wielded words like weapons, shutting down weak arguments and exposing weaknesses without ever raising his voice.
Seren realized something then.
Kael wasn't just a cold businessman.
He was dangerous.
And yet, standing beside him, she didn't feel overshadowed.
She felt challenged.
At some point in the night, Seren stepped away to grab a drink.
That's when she felt it—Kael's presence behind her.
She turned, eyebrow raised. "Miss me already?"
Kael's gaze was unreadable, but his voice?
A shade lower.
"You're being watched."
Seren blinked. "Excuse me?"
Kael's fingers brushed her wrist—barely a touch, but enough to make her skin tingle.
"Three men. To your left."
Seren, keeping her movements casual, glanced over.
Three men—older, wealthy, powerful.
And their gazes were locked onto her.
Not just in interest.
In evaluation.
Seren smirked. "I must be making an impression."
Kael's fingers curled slightly against her wrist—just for a second.
Then he let go.
"Be careful," he said, tone cool. "You're new to this world."
Seren tilted her head. "And what exactly are you warning me about?"
Kael didn't answer.
Instead, he did something completely unexpected.
He lifted her hand.
Brushed his lips against her knuckles.
The gesture was effortless. Practiced.
But the look in his eyes?
For the first time, it wasn't just cold.
It was possessive.
And Seren?
For just a second—**just a second—**she forgot how to breathe.
Then, just as quickly, Kael straightened.
"The performance continues," he murmured.
Seren, regaining her composure, smirked. "Oh, Young Master, you almost had me fooled."
Kael simply looked at her.
And for the first time that night…
Seren wasn't entirely sure who was playing who.
The event had finally ended. Hours of poised smiles, careful conversations, and navigating the undercurrents of power had left Seren exhausted—but she'd never let it show.
As she and Kael exited the ballroom, a cool night breeze greeted them. The valet pulled up in front of them, opening the car door with a bow.
Seren exhaled, tilting her head to glance at her husband. He, of course, looked as composed as ever—no sign of fatigue, no cracks in his armor.
"Shall we celebrate surviving our first event as husband and wife?" she teased as she slid into the car.
Kael followed, shutting the door behind him. "It was necessary, not an achievement."
Seren smirked. "You're just full of romantic lines tonight, aren't you?"
Kael didn't respond. Instead, he tapped twice on the window, signaling the driver.
The car pulled away from the extravagant venue, leaving behind the flashing lights and murmuring elites.
Silence stretched between them, but it wasn't uncomfortable. It was something else—charged, perhaps, with the remnants of the night's performance.
Seren traced a finger along the hem of her dress, her mind replaying the moment Kael had kissed her hand. It had been calculated, of course. A move to assert dominance. But… there had been something in his gaze.
Something she couldn't quite place.
She turned to study his profile.
Kael, as usual, was unreadable. His gaze remained fixed on the road ahead, his expression cool and distant.
Still, she couldn't help herself.
"You never did answer my question earlier," she murmured.
Kael didn't glance at her. "Which one?"
Seren smirked. "What exactly you were warning me about."
This time, Kael's fingers flexed against his knee—just for a second. A barely perceptible movement.
"You noticed them," he said instead. "That's enough."
Seren narrowed her eyes. "So I passed the first test?"
Kael finally met her gaze, his expression unreadable. "You've drawn attention."
Seren tilted her head. "Good or bad attention?"
Kael's gaze lingered on her for a moment longer before he looked away.
"That depends."
On what, he didn't say.
By the time they arrived at the estate, the night had deepened into quiet stillness. The grand hall was dimly lit, the air cool against her skin as she stepped inside.
Seren sighed, slipping off her heels. "I don't know how you do it," she muttered.
Kael raised a brow. "Do what?"
"Stay so composed. All night. Not even a flicker of boredom, annoyance, amusement—nothing."
Kael's lips curved slightly, though it wasn't quite a smile. "You assume too much."
Seren crossed her arms. "Oh? So you did feel something tonight?"
Kael took a step closer, his gaze steady.
"Perhaps."
Seren felt her breath hitch.
It was ridiculous—how he could make such a simple word feel heavier than it should.
She rolled her eyes, breaking the moment. "You're impossible."
Kael smirked faintly. "And you're reckless."
Seren scoffed. "Reckless? I was perfectly behaved tonight."
Kael leaned in slightly, his voice dropping just enough to send a shiver down her spine. "That's the problem."
Seren frowned. "Excuse me?"
Kael straightened. "You're learning too fast."
Seren arched a brow. "Should I take that as a compliment?"
Kael studied her for a moment before turning away. "Get some rest, Seren."
And just like that, he walked past her, disappearing into his study.
Seren stood there, barefoot in the grand hall, replaying his words.
You're learning too fast.
What exactly was Kael worried about?
The event had finally ended. Hours of poised smiles, careful conversations, and navigating the undercurrents of power had left Seren exhausted—but she'd never let it show.
As she and Kael exited the ballroom, a cool night breeze greeted them. The valet pulled up in front of them, opening the car door with a bow.
Seren exhaled, tilting her head to glance at her husband. He, of course, looked as composed as ever—no sign of fatigue, no cracks in his armor.
"Shall we celebrate surviving our first event as husband and wife?" she teased as she slid into the car.
Kael followed, shutting the door behind him. "It was necessary, not an achievement."
Seren smirked. "You're just full of romantic lines tonight, aren't you?"