The morning sun filtered through the tall windows of the Blackthorn house, casting long, golden beams across the marble floors. A light knock came at the door, followed by the soft voice of her maid.
"Lady Sofia? May I come in?"
Nerine, still wrapped in her robe and staring blankly at her reflection in the mirror, answered, "Yes, Clara. Come in."
Clara entered with a box of hairpins and ribbons. "We need to start getting you ready for the engagement."
Nerine nodded slowly, but her hands trembled in her lap. She hadn't slept well. Her stomach turned with unease, and despite the luxurious gown hanging beside her bed, nothing about this day felt celebratory.
"Clara…" she began hesitantly.
"Yes, my lady?"
Nerine glanced at her through the mirror, biting her lip. "Have you ever seen Lord Kael?"
Clara blinked, then giggled. "Yes, once in a while. At a distance tho."
"…Is he handsome?"
Clara blinked again, then burst into laughter. "That's what you're worried about? My lady, you've got an entire engagement to survive and you're wondering if your groom's good-looking?"
"Well…" Nerine blushed. "It's just that—who hides away until it's time of the engagement? Only an ugly man would do that."
Clara chuckled as she pulled Nerine's hair into a loose braid. "Don't worry. I think you'll be… pleasantly surprised."
Nerine smiled faintly but said no more. Her heart was thudding far too fast.
When Clara left her alone to change into the engagement gown, Nerine sat back down by the window, watching the wind play through the trees. Her thoughts wandered to Madam Helen, to Elizabeth and Gracy, and even Noah. Would they miss her today? Would they think of her?
"I wish you were all here," she whispered to herself.
She imagined how her engagement might have been in another life—Madam Helen fussing over her dress, Elizabeth crying with joy, Gracy making a crown of wildflowers. Instead, she had cold marble floors and strangers.
But she couldn't let it show. Not today.
Outside, the maids giggled, and she heard Clara say, "She asked if he was handsome!" A round of laughter followed, and Nerine's face flushed with embarrassment.
Little did she know, that very question made its way through the halls until it reached Kael himself, who smirked when Kostas told him.
"She thinks I'm hiding because I'm ugly?" he murmured, amused. "Maybe I'll wear a mask to keep up the illusion." he said confident in his looks.
Meanwhile, the carriage was prepared. Nerine, now dressed in a deep burgundy gown embroidered with golden vines, stepped out.
She saw the duos she didn't want to talk to at the moment.
"You look radiant, my dear," Sir Marudas said with a smile fit for an audience.
Lady Kate nodded. "Just keep your smile perfect and your posture straighter."
In front of the council building, they were all charm and sweetness. But as they stepped away from the onlookers, Lady Kate leaned in close and whispered, "Don't slip up. One mistake, and you know who will suffer."
Nerine nodded stiffly, her fingers tightening around the edge of her cloak.
Inside the grand council hall, silence fell as the doors opened.
Everyone turned.
And there he was.
Lord Kael entered with slow, measured steps, dressed in a black coat embroidered in golden threads. His blue eyes cut across the room like lightning, calm and cold—and Nerine forgot how to breathe.
Her mouth parted slightly.
He was tall. Tall and composed. His cheekbones were sharp, his lips full, and his posture elegant. He looked like someone pulled from a myth. Not a groom. A god.
Nerine blinked rapidly.
"Oh gods… why is he this beautiful?"
Kael approached and stood before her, arching a brow. "Lady Sofia?"
She blinked again, startled out of her trance. "Yes! Yes, I....i'm Lady Sofia." Her voice came out embarrassingly high-pitched.
Kael's lips twitched slightly. Her scent was soft. Something floral, something fresh. Her grey eyes were large and blinking far too much.
"She's… interesting," he thought, before murmuring, "Pleased to meet you, at last."
She nodded awkwardly. "You too.
"Um… he is actually not—ugly."she thought to herself.
Kael chuckled under his breath. "I should hope not."
The engagement began. The council members watched closely as Nerine took the ring offered. The metal was cool against her skin, the gemstone dark as night.
"Do you accept this union?" the officiant asked.
Nerine nodded slowly. "Yes."
Then came the blood seal.
Before anyone could hand her a needle, she pulled out her hairpin and pricked her thumb.
A murmur rippled through the crowd.
Kael arched a brow.
She pressed her blood against the parchment and passed it to him.
Not sensing the change in the hall.
Kael, without a word, bit into his palm and did the same.
Their union was sealed.
The room erupted in applause, and Nerine found herself dragged from person to person, smiling, drinking, nodding. Her cheeks ached. Her chest felt tight from the corset. Her eyes blurred from exhaustion.
From across the room, Kael observed her closely. Lord Nikos nudged him.
"She's holding up well."
Kael narrowed his eyes. "Too well."
Nikos blinked. "Isn't that a good thing?"
"She's too poised. Trying her best to be perfect. Something's not right."
Kael continued watching as Nerine subtly shifted in her seat, her fingers trembling slightly, her breathing shallow.
"She's uncomfortable," he muttered under his breathe.
When the wave of well-wishers thinned, Nerine slipped out through a side door, exhaling deeply as the breeze hit her face. The corridor outside the main hall was silent. Peaceful.
She was grateful for the air.
Until—
"Why did you leave the hall?" Lady Kate's voice cut through the stillness.
Nerine turned slowly.
"I.....I needed some air," she said honestly.
"A lady doesn't excuse herself like that," Lady Kate snapped, stepping closer. "You want to ruin everything? Remember your little friends, your precious Madam Helen? They're alive because you behave."
Nerine's heart clenched. Her eyes filled with tears. "Would you do to them what you did to my mother?"
Lady Kate froze.
Before she could speak, a deep voice interrupted.
"Is everything alright?"
They both turned.
Kael.
He stood at the edge of the corridor, eyes unreadable.
Lady Kate quickly grabbed Nerine's hand and smiled. "Just a mother sharing a moment with her daughter."
Nerine cringed at the word "mother" but nodded stiffly.
Kael's gaze didn't leave Sofia. "It's late. I'll escort my fiancée back now."
Lady Kate faltered. "Of course… of course." She gave Nerine a warning look, then disappeared back into the hall.
Nerine looked at Kael uncertainly.
He extended his hand.
Without thinking, she placed hers in his. His palm was large, warm, and hers felt childlike against it.
"Let's go," she whispered.
As they walked, Nerine peeked up at him. His side profile was flawless. Her heart skipped a beat.
When they reentered the hall, Kael turned to the council.
"We will be leaving now. Lady Sofia isn't feeling well."
Nerine blinked in shock. He… noticed?
Outside, she tried to pull her hand away to go to her carriage.
He didn't let go.
"Um…?"
A black, sleek carriage pulled up beside them.
"Where are you going?" he asked.
"To the carriage?" she replied, confused.
Kael looked at her. "We're going home. Together."
Her heart pounded at the word.
Home?
She had never had one for long.
He helped her into the carriage, and for the first time that night, Nerine stopped pretending.
She let herself breathe.
And wonder what on earth she had just gotten herself into.
Dear readers,
Shall we proceed to their romantic life .... would you like Kael to falter with our dear Nerine's childish but adorable charm?♥️🎉