Morning came too quickly.
The Lu Mansion was louder than usual.
Servants hurried through the corridors carrying white roses, crystal trays, and silk fabrics. The air smelled of perfume and fresh lilies. Outside, luxury cars lined the driveway, security guards positioned at every corner.
It looked like a celebration.
It felt like an execution.
Raina sat quietly in front of the large vanity mirror while two stylists worked around her.
Her reflection looked unreal.
Her long black hair was curled softly and pinned back with a delicate diamond hairpiece. A thin veil rested behind her head like mist. The white wedding gown hugged her slender figure before flowing down in layers of silk and lace, trailing behind her like a silent river.
She looked beautiful.
Too beautiful for someone who felt so fragile inside.
Behind her, two maids whispered.
"I heard Mr. Black once bankrupted a family just because someone offended him."
"They say he hates women touching him."
"Then why is she marrying him?"
"Bad luck."
"Yes… such bad luck."
Raina's fingers tightened slightly in her lap.
Bad luck.
Monster.
Sacrifice.
The words didn't surprise her anymore.
She had expected sympathy.
But instead, she became gossip.
A bride walking toward a beast.
One maid glanced at her reflection and lowered her voice.
"She looks so gentle… what a pity."
Raina slowly closed her eyes for a moment.
She could speak.
She could defend herself.
But what would it change?
People believed what they wanted to believe.
And maybe…
They weren't entirely wrong.
Adrian Black was not a fairytale prince.
He was a man feared by an entire city.
And she was walking willingly toward him.
A knock sounded at the door.
"Miss Lu, it's time."
Her heart skipped once.
This was it.
She stood slowly.
The gown felt heavier now.
Each step toward the staircase felt like stepping deeper into unknown darkness.
—
The wedding venue was held in a grand private hall owned by Black Corporation.
Crystal chandeliers hung high above like frozen stars. White roses decorated every corner. A long red carpet stretched from the entrance to the altar.
Guests filled the hall—business elites, influential figures, media carefully controlled to avoid chaos.
Whispers filled the room.
"So the real heiress is marrying him?"
"Interesting."
"I heard she's from a poor background."
"She won't last long."
At the altar stood Adrian Black.
Perfectly composed.
His black tailored suit contrasted sharply against the white decorations. His posture was straight, hands resting calmly in front of him. His expression unreadable, almost indifferent.
He looked like a king waiting to sign a treaty.
Not a groom waiting for his bride.
The priest stood beside him nervously.
Everyone in the room felt the tension.
Above, on the second-floor balcony area reserved for close family, Luna stood beside her parents.
Mrs. Lu smiled in relief.
"Good. He doesn't seem suspicious."
Mr. Lu nodded.
"He has no idea about the switch. Everything is smooth."
Luna's lips curved slightly.
Yes.
Everything was smooth.
For them.
But her eyes were cold.
Let's see how long she survives.
The music began.
Soft.
Elegant.
The large doors at the end of the hall opened slowly.
And Raina stepped inside.
The entire room went quiet.
She looked ethereal under the lights.
The gown shimmered gently as she walked forward, each step careful but steady.
Her veil moved softly behind her.
Her face was calm.
Too calm.
But her heart—
Her heart was racing so loudly she was afraid someone might hear it.
Adrian lifted his eyes.
And for a brief second—
The world around him blurred.
He had seen her before.
But today—
She looked different.
Fragile.
Luminous.
Like something pure placed deliberately inside a battlefield.
A strange sensation tightened in his chest.
Not irritation.
Not anger.
Something unfamiliar.
He watched her walk toward him.
She did not look at the guests.
She did not look at her parents.
She only looked forward.
At him.
And when she reached the altar and stood in front of him—
He saw it clearly again.
Those eyes.
Still clear.
Still soft.
But holding quiet courage.
She lowered her head slightly in greeting.
He noticed her hands were trembling faintly.
He didn't know why—
But he wanted to stop that trembling.
The priest began speaking.
Words about union.
Words about loyalty.
Words about eternity.
Raina barely heard them.
Her thoughts were elsewhere.
He looks calm.
Too calm.
Does he regret this?
Will he leave me standing here?
Would that be better?
Adrian listened with half attention.
His mind replayed last night.
Her saying she wanted love.
Her saying she would try.
Why does she still look like she's walking into punishment?
"Do you, Adrian Black, take Raina Lu as your lawful wife?"
The hall felt suffocating.
Everyone held their breath.
Adrian's gaze rested on her.
She lifted her eyes slowly.
For a moment—
He saw uncertainty there.
And something inside him shifted again.
"I do."
The words were steady.
Clear.
No hesitation.
A ripple of whispers passed through the guests.
Above, Mrs. Lu exhaled in relief.
"Good. Good."
Luna's nails dug slightly into her palm.
The ring bearer stepped forward.
The diamond ring sparkled brilliantly under the chandelier lights.
It was not small.
It was not subtle.
It was an enormous flawless diamond, surrounded by delicate smaller stones, custom-designed.
Extremely expensive.
Extremely symbolic.
Adrian took the ring.
When he held her hand—
She flinched slightly.
He noticed.
But instead of pulling away—
He held her hand more firmly.
Not painfully.
Just securely.
Her skin felt warm against his.
Soft.
Alive.
He slid the ring onto her finger slowly.
It fit perfectly.
The diamond caught the light, shining almost blindingly.
Gasps sounded quietly around the hall.
Above, Luna's face froze.
That ring…
That ring was supposed to be hers.
Her chest tightened.
Jealousy burned violently inside her.
Why does she get that?
Why does she get him?
Her parents noticed the ring too.
Mrs. Lu smiled proudly.
"Look at that. He values this marriage."
Mr. Lu nodded, satisfied.
They thought he was unaware.
They thought he was controlled.
They thought they had won.
"Do you, Raina Lu, take Adrian Black as your lawful husband?"
Her voice was soft.
But clear.
"I do."
When she spoke, something inside Adrian felt unexpectedly steady.
The priest smiled nervously.
"You may now kiss the bride."
Silence.
Thick.
Heavy.
The entire hall froze.
Everyone knew the rumors.
He doesn't like being touched.
He hates intimacy.
He avoids physical contact.
Above, Luna leaned forward slightly.
He won't kiss her.
He never does unnecessary gestures.
Raina felt her heart drop.
He probably won't.
And that's okay.
It's just a formality.
She lowered her gaze slightly, preparing for polite distance.
Adrian looked at her.
At the faint shadow of sadness that crossed her face for just a second.
At the expectation of rejection she was already preparing herself for.
And something inside him—
Disliked that.
He stepped forward.
Without hesitation.
Without warning.
His hand moved to her waist.
Pulling her closer.
The room collectively inhaled.
Her eyes widened.
Before she could process—
His lips pressed gently against hers.
Not violent.
Not forceful.
But firm.
Real.
Warm.
Time stopped.
The hall went completely silent.
Shock spread across every face.
Business elites stared.
Servants gasped.
Above—
Mrs. Lu's smile froze.
Mr. Lu blinked in disbelief.
Luna's face went pale.
He… kissed her?
He actually kissed her?
Raina's mind went blank.
She hadn't expected this.
She felt his hand steady at her waist.
His other hand lightly holding her face.
His lips were warm.
Controlled.
But not indifferent.
Her heart pounded wildly.
He pulled away slowly.
Their faces still close.
Close enough for her to feel his breath.
His eyes locked with hers.
And for the first time—
She didn't see coldness.
She saw something darker.
Possessive.
Protective.
Claiming.
The hall slowly erupted into applause.
But Adrian didn't look at the guests.
He didn't look at her parents.
He didn't look at Luna.
He only looked at her.
And in that gaze—
There was a silent message.
You are mine now.
Above, Luna's jealousy turned into something more dangerous.
Hatred.
Her life wasn't going to become peaceful.
It was going to become war.
Because that kiss—
That ring—
That public claim—
It wasn't just a marriage.
It was a declaration.
And as Raina stood there, still slightly breathless—
She couldn't help but wonder—
Why did he kiss her?
And what did that kiss truly mean?