Aurora stood at the entrance of the Veyron mansion, as her heart was beating a little faster than she liked to admit. The building itself was massive, with all the stone and iron gates, not to mention the tall windows that reflected the late afternoon sun like it was daring her to step inside, and then her two older sisters whispered behind her, their expressions were sharp, calculating, almost like she was about to ruin everything just by simply existing.
Lorenzo Veyron's family awaited them in the grand hall, as Lorenzo himself sat at the head of a long mahogany table; even his posture was perfect, as his dark eyes assessed every detail. He looked every bit the mafia heir he was rumored to be: tall, lean, powerful, and dangerous without even trying. His hair was dark and slicked back, and his suit was simply immaculate. Behind him were his four younger brothers, who lounged casually, each of them carrying a look of quiet amusement as if they were watching a game already in progress.
Aurora's father stepped forward, clearing his throat. "We are here to finalize the marriage arrangement," he began, trying for authority.
Lorenzo's smirk was slow, deliberate. "Ah, yes. The.... underboss' daughter." He leaned back, his fingers steepled. "I believe you're 19 years old, you must be intelligent, I presume… and fully aware this marriage is not about love."
Aurora swallowed hard, still keeping her posture straight. "I… I understand." Her voice was calm, but her hands were clenched at her sides.
Lorenzo's gaze swept over her; it was sharp and almost predatory. "Good. Understanding is the first step toward survival in our… arrangement."
One of the younger brothers chuckled softly, it was low and amused, as it made Aurora's sisters bristle. Lorenzo ignored it, still focused on her. "Your father wants influence. My family wants… efficiency. This contract satisfies both. No illusions, no misunderstandings. That is how these things work."
Her father nodded stiffly. "Yes. The terms are clear. Duration, obligations, and expectations—"
"Spare me the lecture," Lorenzo interrupted smoothly, his voice cutting like steel. "We both know why we're here. Power. Control. Loyalty. Your daughter, Aurora, will follow the rules. I expect my family to be respected. That is all."
The younger brothers exchanged glances, with amusement in their eyes. Aurora's sisters pressed their lips together. Their expressions were sharp and almost tense. Aurora nodded carefully as she met Lorenzo's eyes without flinching, though her heart was still pounding painfully in her chest.
A quiet moment passed, but it was only broken by the echo of footsteps and the faint ticking of a grand clock on the wall. Lorenzo leaned forward slightly, resting his forearms on the table. "Any questions?"
Aurora's father opened his mouth, then closed it. Silence. Only the imposing presence of the Veyron family remained, like a living wall of power and control.
And just like that, the meeting set the tone: the contract was real, the rules were clear, and Aurora was very much in their world now.
The meeting was now winding down as Aurora had been quietly absorbing every word, glance, and even subtle movement around the grand table. No questions were asked. No interruptions. Just the weight of expectation pressing down like the massive chandeliers overhead.
Her sisters, however, were not finished. One of them, cheeks burning a faint pink, finally spoke, breaking the tense quiet. "Father… what if Aurora is expected to bear an heir?" The words barely left her lips before her flush deepened, eyes darting nervously between Aurora and Lorenzo.
Lorenzo's dark eyes narrowed slightly, the faintest smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth. "An heir?" he repeated, voice calm but carrying the kind of weight that made the air in the room feel heavier.
Aurora's father adjusted his tie nervously. "It is… customary. The continuity of the family line—"
"That is not something we can decide on the spot," Aurora's other sister interjected sharply. "What if she—"
"She is barely nineteen," Aurora's flushed sister continued, her hands twisting in her lap. "Shouldn't this… I mean…" She faltered, words lost in the tension.
Lorenzo's gaze then swept across the table, taking in each argument like he was a predator weighing its prey. "You are overthinking it," he said slowly, voice steady, almost bored, yet cutting. "The matter of heirs will be put into consideration."
"No, you don't understand!" Aurora's sister's voice rose slightly, frustrated and flustered. "We're talking about obligations! About expectations! About—"
"You are arguing about things that will be decided in their own time," Lorenzo interrupted, each word precise, authoritative, leaving no room for further protest. "Your concerns are noted. They will be put into consideration."
Aurora's sisters exchanged uneasy glances, their mouths tight with frustration. Aurora herself felt the heat rise to her cheeks, though she remained silent, steadying her breathing. The weight of Lorenzo's words, calm but unyielding, pressed on the room like the walls themselves.
A silence fell again, punctuated only by the distant echo of a clock ticking somewhere in the mansion. The meeting was finally, truly drawing to a close—each party aware of the rules, the power, and the unspoken control that had been established.
Lorenzo leaned back in his chair, fingers steepled, gaze sharp as ever. His words still rang in Aurora's mind: "That will be put into consideration."
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The meeting finally drew to a close as Lorenzo stood, and the sharp lines of his suit cut a perfect silhouette against the chandelier-lit hall. He didn't bother with pleasantries or even half-hearted smiles. "That is all for today," he said, his voice was calm but commanding, as it left no room for argument.
Aurora's father nodded stiffly. "Very well. Then… the arrangements—"
Lorenzo raised a hand. "The wedding date will be set. I expect all parties to honor it."
"Is there a specific date in mind?" Aurora's father asked, still trying to maintain some authority.
Lorenzo's smirk returned, it was faint but unmistakable. "Two months from today. Consider it… enough time to prepare, but do not consider it so much time that excuses can be invented."
Aurora's older sister muttered under her breath, voice laced with thinly veiled irritation. "Two months? That's… barely enough time for anyone to adjust."
"Adjust?" Lorenzo's second-youngest brother leaned forward, amusement clear in his tone. "You'll adjust just fine when the day comes."
"Do you even care about her opinions?" Aurora's other sister snapped, glaring.
"Her opinion?" Lorenzo's voice still carried that same deadly calm. "She'll follow the rules. That's all that matters."
Aurora shifted in her chair, still keeping her head low, as her hands folded neatly in her lap. She wasn't exactly thrilled with the tone, but she'd learned quickly that arguments didn't go far with the Veyrons.
Her father cleared his throat again. "Then… two months it is. We shall prepare accordingly."
Lorenzo's dark eyes swept the room one last time. "Make sure there are no surprises. I expect punctuality, discipline, and adherence. That is all."
With that, the Veyron family rose. Lorenzo's brothers exchanged sly looks, smirking as they led their way toward the exit. Aurora followed her family out, trying not to trip over the grandeur of the mansion, her mind already spinning with the weight of what had just been agreed upon.
The drive back to her home was quiet, tension lingering in the air like a stubborn fog. Her sisters whispered in hushed tones, voices full of resentment and worry, while Aurora stared out the window, the sun setting over the streets as if signaling the beginning of a life she hadn't chosen but could not escape.
And that was it. The first chapter of her new life, set in motion with a contract, a wedding date, and a very powerful family that made it clear: Aurora's world had just changed forever.