"Bound by Contract, Torn by Desire"

--- Chapter 1: Promise in the Cold The sky of Avaleyra that morning was shrouded in gray clouds, as if the world was mourning with a broken heart. The autumn wind blew softly but bitingly, carrying the wet scent of fallen leaves on the marble streets of the noble city. In the center of the city, stood a white palace with tall pillars and stained glass decorated with the Celestine family crest—an orchid that was now almost withered from its splendor. Behind the large window on the third floor of the palace, stood a young girl in an ivory satin dress. Her shoulders were strong, but her silver-gray eyes reflected fatigue and deep wounds. Luire Celestine, the sole heir of the once famous Celestine family, was now only a name on the list of impoverished nobles. She tightly gripped the window frame, staring out as if searching for the freedom that had long been taken from her. Outside, the world seemed calm. But inside her, a storm had long since exploded. "Luire," a soft but firm voice came from behind the slowly opened wooden door. Lady Celestine, her mother, entered the room with a graceful step despite her body being far from young. His beautiful and dignified face now looks gloomy but trying hard. “He has arrived. Lord Kael Viremont.” Silence. Luire did not immediately turn around. Her eyes remained fixed on the outside world, as if hoping for time to stop. But time never favors those who are hurt. “Should I smile, ma’am?” she finally asked, her voice hoarse but still calm. “When you sell yourself to save your family’s bankruptcy?” Lady Celestine took a deep breath. “Smile… like a noblewoman who knows her place.” Luire nodded slowly. In her eyes, the accumulated water never spilled. She had cried so often that tears had become a luxury she could not afford to let out carelessly. --- The Celestine family’s main living room was no longer as grand as it once was. The carpet had begun to fade, the crystal chandelier overhead sparkled mediocrely, and the aroma of chamomile tea served was more a symbol of hospitality than comfort. Kael Viremont sat in a dark leather chair with perfect posture. He was tall, with jet-black hair that was neatly combed back, wearing an aristocratic black suit with a silver “V” pin. Her face was sharp, showing no emotion. When the door opened, Luire entered slowly. Each step was light, but like stepping on thorns. Kael's eyes stared at her. For a moment, time seemed to stop. Two strangers met to sign their fates. "Miss Celestine," Kael greeted with a polite nod. "Mr. Viremont," Luire replied, flat but still polite. Behind her calm face, her heart was beating erratically. Kael studied her, not like a man judging beauty, but more like an analyst weighing the value of a stock. There was no admiration. No love. Only calculation. "You are calmer than I imagined," he said finally. Luire smiled wryly. "I was just trying to keep my family name from falling deeper." "Good. Because I have no intention of embarrassing my name either." Without further ado, Kael pulled a black folder from his briefcase. He opened the document on the table, revealing a stiff sheet full of legal requirements. “A marriage contract. Read it carefully,” she said. Luire looked down at him. There was no obligation to share a bed. No prohibition on living your own lives. This marriage was for two years, or until Kael’s reputation was safe from the pressures of the Viremont family. Everything was legal. Cold. No room for emotion. Luire reached for her pen. Her hand shook slightly, but she signed it in one fell swoop. With that, she had sold herself for her family—and tied her life to a stranger who hadn’t even looked at her twice. --- That night, the Avaleyra sky poured down a thin rain. Luire stood on her balcony, shoeless, letting the cold seep through the stone floor. Her silver hair was flowing, her nightgown blowing in the wind. In the distance, the city’s clock tower chimed nine times. She looked up at the sky, then muttered softly. “Selling myself for the family name… Will it be enough to save them? Or am I just prolonging my futility?” There was no answer from the sky. But far from where she stood, behind the shadows of the trees, a pair of warm brown eyes stared at her. Eyes that had once loved her. Eyes belonging to the man she once thought would never return. --- The next day, the rain stopped. The sky of Avaleyra was clear as if mocking the storm of her heart that had not yet subsided. In the long dining room of the Celestine palace, Luire sat silently staring at a cup of tea that was starting to cool. At the end of the table, Kael Viremont read a document while sipping his black coffee. They were like two strangers who happened to have the status of husband and wife. "Tomorrow there will be an official wedding ceremony," Kael said without turning around. "Reporters will be present. Don't talk too much. Smile enough." Luire answered briefly, "Of course. I know how to pretend to be happy." Kael stared at her. For a moment, there was a brief interest in his eyes. But it quickly disappeared. “You’re stronger than I thought.” “Or maybe I’m just emptier than you thought.” Silence. Silence hung. And then… the palace door opened. “Excuse me…” That voice. Soft. Familiar. Like a nightmare and a beautiful dream coming together. Luire turned her head. The world felt like it was spinning. A man stood in the doorway. Dark brown hair, warm hazel eyes, that face hadn’t changed—only more mature now. More painful. “Eion…” Kael stood up. His face remained calm. “You’re earlier than scheduled.” Eion smiled slightly. “I don’t like wasting time. But I didn’t expect to meet Luire… here.” Luire stood up slowly. The hand holding the spoon was shaking, but she hid it under her long skirt. “You… came back?” “I thought it was time,” Eion answered. “But it turns out… I’m late.” Kael stared at the two of them. His gaze changed, not jealousy… but wariness. He was not a man who liked to lose control. And Luire knew, this cold world… would begin to burn again with the unquenched fires of the past. And this… was just the beginning. -- Luire stared at Eion like a ghost from the past. The world around her seemed to fade; there was only their locked gazes—full of wounds that had yet to be stitched up, and questions that had yet to be answered. “You… came just to see me become someone else’s wife?” she asked in a trembling voice. Eion stepped in, his hands squeezing his trouser pockets. His gaze was gentle, but it held deep wounds. “I came… because I thought I still had time.” Kael stood up from his chair with slow but firm movements. “Sir… Eion, if you came just to touch the past, then you’re too late.” “Too late indeed,” Eion stared at Kael, his tone becoming sharper. “But that doesn’t mean I won’t fight for something that was once mine.” Luire shook her head slowly, as if trying to deny everything. “Stop… Both of you.” She stepped back, her hands shaking. The sound of the clock ticking could be heard so loudly amidst the tense silence. Eion stepped closer. “Luire, I didn’t come to steal you… I just want to know, is this really what you want?” “What choice do I have, Eion?” Luire answered almost in a whisper. “After you left without a word. After I had to watch my family slowly fall apart.” Kael interrupted, his voice cold. “And I am here as a solution to that destruction. This marriage is not just a contract, but a savior for your reputation.” “Savior?” Eion smiled sadly. “Or just an acquisition for a family that is almost bankrupt?” Kael stared at him, cold as stone. “You can judge as you wish. But today, she is my wife.” The sentence hit Luire in the chest. “Enough!” he shouted, this time more firmly. “I do not want to be a prize fought over in your arguments.” The atmosphere froze. With a gasp, Luire left the room, walking quickly towards her room. Her long dress swept the floor like a curtain that covered a too painful encounter. --- Behind the door of her room, Luire fell to her knees. She covered her face with both hands. Would everything be like this forever? Memories with Eion still haunted her. They used to dream of building a future together. But he disappeared, going to chase his dreams who knows where. And now he's back... when everything has changed. There was a soft knock on the door. "Luire." The voice was... Kael. He didn't answer. "I won't force you to talk," he said softly from outside. "But... if you keep drowning yourself in the past, you won't be able to control the future." Footsteps moved away. Luire stared at the window. The clouds began to hang again. It seemed like rain was going to fall. Just like her heart. --- That night, a small wedding ceremony was held privately. Only a handful of the Viremont and Celestine families were present. There was no fancy party, no procession. Just a legal vow, a signature on a document, and a cold ring wrapped around Luire's finger. Kael looked at her as the ring was put on. “From today on, we are a couple in the eyes of the world. But you remain free in your life,” he said flatly. Luire answered without expression. “I want nothing from you, Kael.” “Then we have a deal.” The photographer took the picture. Their fake smiles became decorations that would be spread in the newspapers tomorrow morning. And outside the wedding hall, Eion stood behind the window, watching everything with blank eyes. --- After the ceremony, they returned to the Viremont mansion. No longer the Luire family home. Status had changed. Everything had changed. “This is your new room,” Kael said, pointing to a door in the upper hall. “I will not enter without permission. But if there is a formal need—an event, a meeting—you must be present with me.” Luire stared at the door. A large gold-and-white room. Beautiful. But it still felt empty. “And we will stay like this… for two years?” “Or more. Depending on the needs of reputation,” Kael answered without feeling. He was about to leave, but Luire called out to him. “Kael.” The man turned, his eyes still as cold as before. “You said you didn’t want anything from me. But can you be honest… why did you choose me?” Kael stared at him deeply. “I need someone who won’t demand love. And of all the candidates I’ve been offered… you’re the only one who doesn’t pretend to want it.” Then he turned, walking away without another word. Luire stood in silence. The words slapped her… and set her free. ---