Caspian hesitated for a second before nodding obediently. "Okay, Mother."
He gave Riley one last lingering look before skipping inside, leaving Riley alone with Genevieve.
The moment Caspian disappeared into the mansion, the air around them shifted. The warmth—or rather, the illusion of it—vanished.
Genevieve's sharp gaze bore into Riley, her lips curling ever so slightly in what could barely be called a smile. "I'm sure you're aware, Riley, that this marriage is nothing more than a formality."
Riley crossed his arms, his expression blank. "Oh? And here I was thinking you wanted a happy family reunion."
Genevieve chuckled, the sound cold and humorless. "Let's not play games. You're here for one reason and one reason only—to take Caspian away from this house."
Riley's brows furrowed slightly. "You want me to take him away?"
Genevieve stepped forward, her heels clicking against the marble ground as she lowered her voice. "A fool like him is of no use to the family. Having him here only creates… complications."
Something about the way she said that sent a chill down Riley's spine. He studied her, the way her lips curved into something that wasn't quite a smile but wasn't outright hostility either.
"You're telling me to take him and leave?" Riley asked, narrowing his eyes.
Genevieve tilted her head slightly, her expression unreadable. "That was the purpose of this marriage, wasn't it?"
Glenn didn't tell him that.
Riley clenched his jaw. He had known from the beginning that something was off about this whole arrangement, but hearing it directly from her made his stomach churn.
"What if I don't?" he challenged.
Genevieve's gaze didn't waver. "Then you'll only make things more difficult for yourself. You see, Riley, Caspian is nothing but an obstacle. He was never meant to inherit anything, not after his accident."
Riley stiffened. The way she spoke about her own son—so detached, so indifferent—it made his skin crawl.
Genevieve took another step forward, lowering her voice. "You're a smart boy. I trust you'll make the right decision."
Riley stared at her for a long moment before scoffing. "Right. The right decision."
He turned on his heel, not bothering to say another word as he stepped into the mansion.
The conversation replayed in his mind over and over again. He could still feel the chill of Genevieve's gaze as he walked through the lavish halls, passing butlers and maids who barely acknowledged his presence.
He wasn't sure what he hated more—this house or the people inside it.
---
The first thing he noticed when he entered their shared bedroom was Caspian sitting on the floor, playing with something in his hands.
Riley frowned. "What are you doing?"
Caspian looked up, his face lighting up the moment he saw Riley. "Oh! I was waiting for you."
Riley sighed, shutting the door behind him. "On the floor?"
Caspian grinned. "It's comfortable."
Riley shook his head, running a hand through his hair as he moved toward the bed. "You're unbelievable."
Caspian giggled, pushing himself up before plopping down on the bed beside Riley. He sat cross-legged, staring at him with open curiosity. "Did Mother say something to you?"
Riley hesitated for a second before answering "She told me to take you and leave."
Riley studied Caspian expression, he knows he shouldn't have said it so bluntly, but there's something in him, pricking at him to say what Genevieve really said.
Caspian didn't react immediately. Then, to Riley's surprise, he laughed. He continued what he was doing like he didn't understand what Riley said.
Of course, he wouldn't. But as Riley looked closely, an expression he couldn't fathom crossed Caspian's face, which disappeared as soon as it came.
Riley shook his head, telling himself he's just imagining things. Something really felt off about Caspian's mother, and he couldn't help being curious.
Riley felt he's being stared at too long and deliberately, and when his gaze met Caspian who was now staring at him, he swore his heartbeat increased.
"What?" Riley raised an eyebrow, trying to calm his raising heart.
Caspian didn't reply, instead, he draws closer to Riley on the bed, his hands shaking slightly as if trying to touch Riley.
Riley's heart hammered violently in his chest, his breath cut in his throat. Caspian being this close is captivating, his face card was undeniably elite—sharp jawline, intense eyes, and lips that hovered just a breath away from Riley's own.
Every nerve in his body was on high alert, the air between them charged with an unspoken tension.
Riley swallowed hard, his pulse thrumming in his ears. "You're too close," he muttered, though his body betrayed him by staying perfectly still, as if caught in Caspian's gravitational pull.
Caspian smirked, tilting his head slightly. "Am I?" His voice was a low murmur, smooth as silk yet laced with something dangerous. He didn't move away. If anything, he inched closer, his breath warm against Riley's skin.
Riley's fingers curled into fists at his sides, struggling to maintain composure. He should step back, say something—anything—to break the spell Caspian had him under. But his body refused to move, and his heart continued its erratic rhythm.
Riley shook his head, trying to shake off the weird thought crawling up his mind. He should push him away, especially when Caspian's face is just an inch away from him, their nose almost rubbing against each other.
"That's enough." Riley whispered and tried to stand, but Caspian hand shot out just as immediately, he grabbed his wrist and pulled him just enough to make him fall into his arm.
"It's our wedding night." Caspian whispered, sending a jolt through Riley's body. He brought his lips closer to Riley's ear, leaving a playful bite on it.
"Wh-what are you doing?" Riley's voice was hoarse as he whispered, shocking himself instantly at how small he sounded.
Caspian's smirk deepened, his eyes dark with amusement. "What do you think I'm doing? I've already told you that…" he trailed deliberately before he continued. "It's our wedding night."
Riley's breath hitched, his body growing weak under Caspian's intense gaze.
His voice…his voice just now is completely different, not just his voice. Everything about Caspian demeanor changed, replaced with what Riley couldn't place. Not yet.
Before Riley could process it, Caspian grabbed his waist, pressing their body together. He trails a hand up Riley's body before tilting his chin up with his fingers, without warning, his lips crashed onto Riley's, making his eyes go wide in shock.