08
552 Words
Under the flickering candlelight, the grand ballroom suddenly fell utterly silent.
Derek Aldrich—the Fourth Prince—appeared out of nowhere, stepping between Vera and Aiden with icy precision. His voice cut through the hush, razor-sharp and commanding:
"Vera, is this your little game of playing hard to get?"
Before Vera could answer, Derek seized her, pulling her firmly into his arms. The force of his movement cast a heavy shadow over the hall.
"Ah—!" Vera gasped, caught off guard as his arm locked around her waist, her struggles futile against his grip.
Gasps and cries rippled through the crowd—
"Oh my god! The Fourth Prince—he’s so bold!"
"So hot…"
Young noblemen stared in disbelief.
"He’s hugging the duke’s daughter right in front of everyone—"
Derek’s lips curled, a dangerous spark in his eyes.
"Well, you’ve succeeded. You’ve definitely caught my attention."
What?! I didn’t do anything—this lunatic...
The Duke of Aldrich’s face darkened, his voice thundering across the ballroom.
"Derek, what do you think you’re doing?"
Derek met the duke’s anger without flinching, his smile cold and reckless.
"My lord duke, isn’t this what you always wanted? For me to marry your daughter? Fine. I’ll do it—I’ll marry her."
"Let me go!" Vera struggled furiously, cheeks flushed with anger and embarrassment.
Damn it, I’m supposed to be getting revenge here, not starring in your ridiculous farce!
Derek leaned down, his voice low and magnetic at her ear.
"Easy. Behave yourself."
He was so close; Vera instinctively turned her face away, but his presence enveloped her, her heart pounding wildly.
Just then, Aiden Aldrich stepped forward, his manner gentle but with an undercurrent of steel.
"Fourth Brother, isn’t it a bit much to steal your little brother’s woman in public?"
Derek snorted, arching an eyebrow at Aiden.
"Your woman?"
Aiden nodded calmly, a mild smile on his lips.
"Three days ago, she already agreed—"
But he never finished. The room erupted.
"Oh my god, did he just—kiss her?!"
"This is insane!"
"How can the Fourth Prince do this in broad daylight?"
Without warning, Derek pressed his lips to Vera’s in a hard, possessive kiss—swift, undeniable, and witnessed by all.
He let her go, his voice low and unapologetically proud.
"There. She’s mine now."
The Duke’s face turned to stone.
"How dare you!"
Guards surged forward, weapons drawn, the atmosphere crackling with imminent violence.
Derek raised his head, utterly unafraid.
"No need for such excitement, my lord. After all, we’ll soon be family."
"Like hell we will! Guards—throw the Fourth Prince out!" the duke roared.
The guards rushed in, but Derek moved like a shadow, leaping easily onto the stone wall, moonlight illuminating his sharp profile.
He looked down at Vera, his voice echoing above the chaos.
"Three days from now, I’ll come to claim you."
Vera glared up at him, her jaw clenched.
"I never said I’d marry you."
Derek smirked, his tone deadly serious.
"You did."
Vera shot him a furious look.
Damn it! I’m not even the real Vera Aldrich—I’d never marry a madman like you!
With a final, mocking smile, Derek vanished into the moonlit night, leaving the ancient castle swirling in the aftermath of his storm.
- Writer
