Three years had passed since she'd left the country, a mere day after their wedding. She only returned now because her mother had been diagnosed with terminal lung cancer. It was all a calculated move on his part. He had claimed it was for her education—to help her pursue further studies abroad. But in reality, he only wanted to prevent her from disrupting the perfect little world he shared with his true love. That evening, Emma sat through dinner with her in-laws and the family matriarch at the old house. Afterward, she returned to the marital home they had never actually lived in together. The once proud, fiery princess had long ago sheathed her claws. Back on home soil, she couldn't shake a powerful intuition: it was finally time to end this marriage that existed in name only. He arrived from outside wearing an impeccable black suit, his entire demeanor radiating an unmistakable "keep your distance" message. A perfectionist through and through. And a severe germophobe on top of that. Emma stood by the window, keeping her distance. With each step he took closer, her heartbeat accelerated just a little more. Three years had transformed him. He was even more strikingly handsome now, his presence more commanding than ever. He stopped at the sofa and sat down, loosening his tie without proceeding any further into the room. Her gaze dropped in disappointment. "You've seen the in-laws, I presume?" he asked coolly, not bothering to look at her. Emma clasped her hands behind her back—a habit that made her look like both an obedient child and a deferential employee. She nodded. "Yes." "Take a look at this." He suddenly leaned forward, retrieving a document from the drawer beneath the coffee table and placing it on the surface. Emma needed only a glance to confirm what she had already anticipated. Not long ago, she had seen news online about him shopping for wedding dresses with his true love—while their own marriage remained hidden from the public. She walked over and picked up the document, opening it to examine the contents. The bold words "Divorce Agreement" stared back at her. Grateful she'd prepared herself mentally, she smiled faintly. "I agree." Alex's penetrating gaze finally turned toward her. "Sit down. Let's discuss this properly." Only then did Emma take a seat in the armchair diagonally across from him. He'd been drinking, and his mood seemed sour. He tugged at his tie again. Emma, determined not to create any discomfort for him, silently read through the divorce agreement. He was giving her two properties. Rather generous of him, all things considered. When she finished reading, Emma smiled gently. "Do you have a pen?" "Hmm?" He tilted his head slightly, as if he hadn't heard her clearly. "For signing," Emma replied, maintaining her gentle smile. Alex's dark eyes scrutinized her for a long moment before he leaned down again to retrieve a pen from the drawer. Without hesitation, she signed her name at the bottom of the agreement. "Done." "Jessica's health is deteriorating," he suddenly explained. "She wants a perfect ending." Emma's hand tightened around the pen, her heart constricting in pain. He would sacrifice everything for that woman. "I understand," Emma nodded politely. Alex remained silent for a moment, only taking the agreement after she pushed it toward him. When he was about to sign, he looked up at her again. "If you have any requests, you can make them. I'll do my best to accommodate." "This is already more than enough. And I should thank you for covering my mother's medical expenses." Alex felt something like suffocation. He glanced at her elegant signature at the bottom of the document, then abruptly set the papers aside without signing. "Tomorrow, I want you to meet with Jessica." Emma noticed his failure to sign but kept her eyes downcast. "Alright." "If she asks whether you have someone you care for, tell her you do." "Alright." "Make it convincing. Make her happy." "Alright," Emma responded mechanically, her eyes drifting back to the unsigned agreement beside him. For one absurd moment, she wondered if perhaps he felt some reluctance about ending their marriage. "Could you prepare a bath for me?" he asked suddenly, his voice cold. Emma started, then caught the detachment on his face. Only then did she realize how ridiculous her momentary hope had been. She lowered her lashes to hide the blur in her eyes and rose to prepare his bath upstairs. She couldn't help mocking herself. What on earth was she thinking? His mind was filled with thoughts of that woman, not her. Walking into the darkness of the upper floor, she repeatedly warned herself to remain rational and compose herself before pushing open that door.

Once upon a time, there was a princess who dared to defy tradition. Rumor had it her betrothed was the ruthless leader of a clan of werewolves. So, under the cover of night, she hastily concocted a plan to escape with the help of her loyal knight. The princess intended to seek refuge in the distant Temple of Light, where she would dedicate her life as a nun, far from the wolfish nightmare of an unwanted marriage. She held a pure devotion to the benevolence of the divine light, longing to serve under its sacred wings for eternity. Throughout their journey, her dark-skinned knight cared for her with utmost attention. He had watched over her from childhood, strong and handsome, yet frustratingly stoic. The princess found his demeanor tiresome and his protectiveness stifling, planning to liberate herself from his guardianship upon reaching the temple. However, her intentions did not go unnoticed. The knight discovered her deceit, and a darkness unfolded within him. Trapped in a secluded castle atop a cliff, the princess found herself ensnared in a twist of fate. Her knight revealed his long-concealed secret, a wolf's tail unfurling from his guise, as he drew the terrified princess into an embrace. He kissed her feverishly, a possessive obsession lacing his words. "The game of eloping is over. You, my dear, are mine alone."