He held her gaze, his red eyes glowing with an intense, almost hypnotic warmth. "I came here to meet you, Payal," he began, voice low and smooth, "but after seeing you, I realize I have been longing for you all along."
A mischievous smile curved his lips. "Maybe this is what they call the magic of the soulmate bond."
His hands gently brushed a strand of hair from her face, his touch both possessive and tender. "I will take very good care of you and,your heart,
Then his tone deepened, an unyielding command hidden beneath the softness. "But I want one promise in return."
He stepped closer, his breath warm against her skin. "Your mind, your heart, and your body—they belong to us."
The words hung heavy in the air, sealing their connection with an unspoken power. Payal's pulse quickened, caught between fear and a strange, intoxicating desire.
"This bond," he whispered, "is not just of ceremony, but of soul and destiny. It will bind us beyond time."
Payal sat quietly, the intensity of his words swirling around her like a tempting spell she wasn't sure she wanted to break. His gaze, so fierce and unwavering, seemed to weave magic into the very air between them.
"I know this is all new to you," he said softly, his voice a comforting rumble. "But you will grow to understand. You will adjust—with time."
She didn't know what to say. What could she say? Her heart fluttered wildly, caught between fear, awe, and something dangerously close to yearning. Every word he spoke felt like a whisper of enchantment, slowly pulling her deeper into a world she never imagined.
His presence was overwhelming, yet strangely grounding. Payal felt the walls she had built around herself beginning to crack. The mysterious power in his voice, the gentle strength in his touch—it all worked like a delicate dance, coaxing her mind and heart toward acceptance.
She realized that this was only the beginning of her transformation, a journey where time would be both her challenge and her ally.
He gently lifted his hand, brushing a soft strand of hair from her face. His eyes, glowing with both warmth and an otherworldly intensity, held hers in a quiet promise.
"I will take my leave now," he said softly, his voice a soothing melody in the stillness. "Take care of yourself until we meet again."
Leaning down, he pressed a gentle kiss to her forehead—a touch light as a whisper but full of meaning. The warmth of his lips lingered, like a tender blessing.
He smiled, a playful spark lighting his eyes. "And one more request..." His tone dipped into something intimate, almost a secret. "Sleep well tonight. Dream of me."
With that, he turned, the soft rustle of his cloak the last sound before the door closed, leaving Payal bathed in the glow of their shared moment—caught between reality and the magic of what was to come.
As soon as the door closed behind him, Mary and Sara hurried into the room, their faces etched with worry.
"Are you okay, Payal? Did he—did he do something to scare you?" Mary's voice was sharp but filled with genuine concern.
Sara nodded, glancing anxiously between Payal and the empty doorway. "Tell us. You don't have to be afraid."
Payal looked at their worried faces and quickly raised a hand to calm them.
"Shh... shhh. No, he didn't do anything but he just.... just.....dhe closed her eyes.....he.kissed me on the forehead," she whispered softly
, a small smile playing on their lips .
Mary and Sara exchanged surprised looks.
"A kiss on the forehead?" Sara echoed gently.
Sara nodded. "It was... comforting. Like he was protecting you, not threatening you."
Mary's eyes softened a bit. "That's... different from what I expected."
Payal took a steadying breath. "It means more than a kiss on the lips. It's a promise—a sign that he cares deeply, not just for your body, but for who you are."
Sara smiled warmly. "You're lucky. Not everyone gets that."
Mary nodded in agreement, her worry easing. "We'll watch over you, Payal. You're not alone." you are our responsibility until marriage.
After getting out of the room,
In the dim glow of the mansion's grand hall, he stood like a statue carved from moonlight and shadow—immortal, powerful, and impossibly beautiful. His white hair shimmered like silk, framing a face etched with ageless grace and mystery. Those piercing red eyes burned with an intensity that saw through the walls Payal had built around her heart.
He moved with a grace that spoke of centuries mastered, each step deliberate yet fluid, as if the very air bent to his will. A low, almost musical voice filled the room. "Do you feel it, Payal? He looked at the photo of Payal. The bond that ties us beyond mere words and promises?"
With a flick of his wrist, the air around him shimmered as faint sparks of supernatural energy danced between his fingers—a display of ancient power he could summon effortlessly.
"My world is not yours, yet they are intertwined now. This mansion, these walls, the very shadows—they obey me, but it is your presence that commands my attention."
He stepped closer, the warmth radiating from him a stark contrast to the cold stone around them. "I protect what is mine, fiercely and endlessly. Your safety, your heart, your destiny—they are as much mine as my own breath."
Despite his commanding aura, a softness softened his gaze when it met hers, a silent promise of devotion beneath the fierce exterior.
"You are not alone in this," he whispered, "and together, we will face whatever darkness lies ahead."
As the lord Julian whispered to himself or to someone unseen, a voice called from down the hall, "What are you doing, Julian? And with whom are you talking about?"
He paused, his red eyes narrowing slightly as he replied calmly, "It's nothing, brother. Just... planning."
What are you hiding from me, Julian?" Asra's voice was sharp, demanding.
"It's nothing, brother..." Julian's reply was hesitant but firm.
Asra moved closer and snatched a folded piece of parchment from Julian's hand. He unfolded it quickly, eyes scanning the contents—and then, clouding in betrayal. "What is wrong with you? I sent you to make a withdrawal from this marriage arrangement, and you… wait, what did you say to her?"
Julian's gaze hardened but softened slightly with regret. "I'm sorry to disappoint you, but when I saw her, I mean Payal… I felt something unique, something I can't explain. I couldn't say the things you ordered me to say."
Their voices rose in tense exchange until a sleepy voice interrupted.
"What's happening here? Why are you talking so loud?" William! , their elder brother, appeared in the doorway, rubbing his eyes.
Asra sighed, exasperated but unable to suppress a small smile. "What's wrong with you? Always scolding our little brother."
Julian shot a glance at William, then back at Asra. The weight between them was palpable—family loyalty tangled with duty, desire, and betrayal..