As the final course was cleared from the table, Seren prepared to leave, expecting the night to finally come to an end.
But just as she pushed back her chair, a butler stepped forward and bowed slightly.
"Young Madam, the Grand Master requests your presence in his study."
A hush fell over the table. The Velyne family was too well-trained to react openly, but Seren didn't miss the slight shift in atmosphere. This wasn't a casual invitation.
She glanced at Kael, who didn't so much as flinch at the summons.
Figures.
Not wanting to appear hesitant, Seren nodded and rose to her feet, following the butler down the long corridors of the Velyne estate. The grandeur of the mansion was something she was still adjusting to—towering archways, gilded accents, the faint scent of old books and polished wood.
The butler stopped in front of a heavy mahogany door and opened it with a practiced motion.
"Please, Young Madam."
Seren stepped inside.
Grandfather Velyne's study was a stark contrast to the rest of the estate. Unlike the grand, formal rooms she had seen, this space felt personal—dark wood bookshelves lined with ancient tomes, a massive desk polished to perfection, a single glass of whiskey resting near its edge.
The man himself sat behind the desk, his posture relaxed but his gaze sharp.
"Sit," he instructed.
Seren obeyed, keeping her back straight, her expression calm. She had no idea what this conversation would entail, but she knew better than to appear uncertain.
Grandfather Velyne studied her for a moment before speaking.
"You made an impression last night."
Seren met his gaze evenly. "I did my best to represent the Velyne name well."
A dry chuckle. "You're quick with words. That's good. But words alone don't hold power in our world."
Seren tilted her head slightly. "Then what does?"
His expression didn't change, but she could sense a shift in the air.
"Control," he said simply. "Perception. The ability to shape how others see you—and how they see your husband."
Seren remained silent, letting him continue.
"You are no longer just Seren. You are the Young Madam of this family. That title comes with expectations. Responsibilities. And most importantly—opposition."
Ah. There it was.
She had known it was coming, but hearing it from the head of the Velyne family himself made it all the more real.
Grandfather Velyne leaned forward slightly. "Many will watch you. Some will test you. Others will wait for you to fail."
Seren held his gaze. "And what do you expect from me, Grandfather?"
The corner of his mouth lifted slightly—not quite a smile, but something close.
"I expect you to prove that my grandson did not make a mistake."
The words were calm, but the weight behind them was undeniable.
Seren inhaled slowly.
Then, she smiled. "I have no intention of failing."
Grandfather Velyne leaned back in his chair, regarding her with quiet amusement.
"We shall see."
The conversation was over.
Seren stood, nodded respectfully, and left the study.
Soon she arrived at her bedroom.
The door to their room clicked shut softly behind Seren, and she could feel the tension of the evening finally settle over her. Grandfather Velyne's words were still echoing in her mind, but it wasn't just his warning that gnawed at her.
Kael had been distant all evening, the same cold façade he'd worn in public, and now that they were alone—
She turned to find him standing by the window, his figure bathed in the soft glow of the moonlight. For a moment, he didn't acknowledge her presence, his gaze fixed on something far beyond the window.
"Kael," she said, her voice sharp but controlled, just enough to cut through the silence.
He didn't look at her right away. His hand slowly traced the glass of the window, but his tone was calm when he spoke. "What did he say?"
Seren took a moment before replying, stepping toward the vanity to remove her earrings, but her mind was elsewhere. "You already know what he said. Power. Perception. 'Don't embarrass the family,'" she mimicked with a sardonic twist of her lips.
"Did you pass?" Kael's voice was flat, but there was something in the way he asked. A question beneath the surface.
Seren let out a small, almost imperceptible laugh as she turned to face him. "Do you really think it's that simple?" She walked toward him, her eyes fixed on his, the slight smirk never leaving her lips. "I'm not here to pass or fail, Kael. I'm here to play the game. And I intend to win it."
He turned then, his gaze meeting hers with a cold, calculating intensity that made her heart skip a beat. "Be careful, Seren. You're not as untouchable as you think."
Her breath hitched, but she didn't let it show. "Untouchable?" She took a step closer, daring him to show any sign of weakness. "I'm a lot more dangerous than you give me credit for."
Kael took a deliberate step toward her, closing the distance between them until they were inches apart. Seren's pulse quickened, but she held her ground. His eyes dropped to her lips before meeting her gaze again.
"There's a difference between danger and recklessness," he said, his voice low, controlled. "I'll need you to learn that quickly."
She tilted her head, challenging him. "Or what?"
For a moment, neither of them moved. The tension between them was thick, almost electric.
Kael's gaze flickered down to her lips once more before he took a breath, as though regaining control. "You'll learn."
Then, with surprising swiftness, he closed the remaining distance, brushing past her as he headed for the desk. The moment broke as quickly as it had built, leaving Seren standing there, still feeling the heat of his presence.
She knew what he was doing. Keeping her on edge. Testing her.
And yet… part of her wanted more of it. Wanted to see just how far they could push each other.
Seren straightened, her breath steady now. "Don't worry, Kael. I'll keep up. I always do."
Kael paused, one hand resting on the desk, his back to her. "Don't make promises you can't keep."
Seren's smirk returned, sharper now. "I don't make promises. I make sure people regret not keeping up."
The silence stretched between them, thick with unspoken understanding.
And just like that, Seren realized—this marriage was far from simple.
It was a game. And she was playing for keeps.
Later that night—
After the conversation had died down, both of them went through the motions of getting ready for bed in silence.
Seren, ever composed, slipped into her nightgown with a practiced ease. She avoided looking directly at Kael, not out of shame but because she was unsure of what would happen if she did.
Kael, meanwhile, removed his shirt and threw it onto the chair, his movements slow and deliberate, as though nothing had transpired between them just moments ago.
The cool silence between them hung in the air as they prepared for sleep. Seren slid into the bed first, pulling the covers around her, though she kept a careful distance from Kael's side.
Kael joined her moments later, his body a cold presence at the far side of the bed. There was no warmth between them, no comfort in their proximity.
For a moment, Seren almost let herself relax, but she couldn't shake the lingering energy from their earlier exchange.
"Good night," she said softly, though the words felt hollow.
Kael didn't respond right away, the silence stretching on for a long beat before he spoke, his voice low and clipped. "Sleep well, Young Madam."
Seren turned her head slightly, glancing at his silhouette in the dark room. Despite his impassive tone, something about his presence made her pulse race again.
She closed her eyes, her mind racing with thoughts of their exchange, of what was left unsaid.
Seren woke the next morning to find herself alone in their large, quiet room. The sunlight filtered in through the curtains, casting a soft glow across the polished floors. Kael was nowhere to be seen. After the event, he had likely gone to handle some business matters, leaving Seren to her own thoughts.
She stretched and rose from the bed, her body still aching a little from the long hours spent at the event. The night had been a whirlwind of names and faces—powerful families, business deals, and the weight of expectation. And yet, there had been something far more memorable, though unsettling, about her conversation with Kael before they went to sleep.
After their brief exchange with his grandfather, Seren and Kael had returned to their room. They'd stood by the window, the cool night air brushing against their skin. It had been one of those rare moments when she caught a glimpse of something more beneath his icy exterior—something intense, possessive, and strangely… protective.
But she pushed the memory aside as she got dressed. Kael's coldness always seemed to return just as swiftly as it left. She'd learned not to rely too heavily on those fleeting moments, no matter how much they made her heart race.