His Bride,Their Prey

Chapter 9

Sunlight poured through the tall windows, spilling across the luxurious bedroom.

I slowly opened my eyes.

For a brief moment...

Everything felt normal.

Then I saw the chandelier.

The silk curtains.

The unfamiliar room.

Reality came crashing back.

"...Right."

I wasn't home anymore.

I was in the Moretti mansion.

A knock came at the door.

Before I could answer, Sophia peeked inside with her usual warm smile.

"Good morning, dear."

"I hope I didn't wake you."

"You didn't."

Sophia stepped inside carrying a breakfast tray.

Unlike yesterday...

This one smelled incredible.

Fresh pancakes.

Scrambled eggs.

Fruit.

Orange juice.

Coffee.

She placed it gently on the table beside my bed.

"I made sure you couldn't refuse this time."

I smiled despite myself.

"You really don't give up."

She chuckled.

"I've worked for the Morettis for over thirty years."

"Stubborn people don't frighten me anymore."

I looked down at my bandaged ankle.

"...Does it still look bad?"

Sophia knelt beside me.

She carefully removed the bandage.

The swelling had gone down slightly.

"The doctor was right."

"It'll heal."

"But only if you stop trying to escape through balconies."

I looked away.

"...No promises."

Sophia sighed dramatically.

"Oh, Lord..."

"You're just like him."

I frowned.

"Lucien?"

She nodded.

"When he was younger..."

"If someone told him not to climb a tree..."

"He'd climb the tallest one."

I couldn't help smiling.

"So..."

"He's always been difficult?"

Sophia laughed.

"Difficult?"

"My dear..."

"He invented difficult."

I laughed quietly.

Then...

A thought crossed my mind.

"Sophia..."

She looked up.

"Hm?"

"...Why is he like this?"

Her smile slowly faded.

For a long moment...

She didn't answer.

Instead...

She gently wrapped the fresh bandage around my ankle.

Finally...

She spoke.

"People aren't born cold, Miss Rossi."

She tied the bandage neatly.

"Life usually teaches them to be."

I stared at her.

"...What happened to him?"

Sophia's hands stopped moving.

Then...

She smiled sadly.

"That's not my story to tell."

Before I could ask another question

A knock echoed through the room.

A young maid entered.

"Miss Rossi..."

"Mr. Moretti requests your presence"

I blinked.

"...Requests?"

The maid hesitated.

"...Respectfully."

Sophia hid a smile.

I narrowed my eyes.

"He could've just come himself."

The maid looked horrified.

"I-I would never suggest such a thing."

Sophia patted my shoulder.

"Come."

"You shouldn't keep him waiting."

I muttered under my breath as Sophia helped me stand.

"...He can wait."

The maid's eyes widened.

Sophia laughed softly.

"Oh..."

"This should be interesting."

Just as we stepped into the hallway

Another woman rounded the corner.

She looked to be in her early thirties, dressed elegantly in a cream-colored pantsuit. Her blonde hair was pinned neatly behind her shoulders, and behind her, two assistants struggled to push a large clothing rack covered with white fabric.

The moment Sophia saw her, she smiled.

"Bianca."

The woman returned the smile.

"Good morning, Sophia."

Then her eyes landed on me.

Her professional smile widened.

"So..."

"This must be Miss Elena Rossi."

I frowned slightly.

"...Who are you?"

She walked forward confidently and offered a small bow.

"My name is Bianca."

"I'm the Moretti family's personal stylist."

I blinked.

"...Stylist?"

Bianca nodded enthusiastically.

"Mr. Moretti instructed me to prepare everything for tomorrow."

Tomorrow...

The word made my stomach twist.

My smile disappeared.

"...Tomorrow?"

Sophia gave me a sympathetic look.

"The wedding."

I felt my heart sink.

I'd almost forgotten.

No...

I'd forced myself to forget.

Bianca gently pulled away the white protective covers draped over the clothing rack.

One by one...

Magnificent wedding gowns came into view.

Silk.

Satin.

Lace.

Each one more breathtaking than the last.

Hand-stitched embroidery shimmered beneath the hallway lights.

One gown sparkled with delicate pearls.

Another featured an elegant cathedral-length train.

There had to be at least fifteen dresses.

I stared at them in disbelief.

"...You're joking."

Bianca laughed softly.

"I assure you, I'm not."

She carefully ran a hand over one of the gowns.

"Mr. Moretti requested several options."

"He wanted to make sure you had a choice."

I let out a dry laugh.

"A choice?"

I looked directly at Sophia.

"That's funny."

"No one asked whether I wanted the wedding."

"So why would anyone ask me which dress I want to wear?"

Silence settled over the hallway.

Even Bianca's smile faltered.

Sophia gently squeezed my shoulder.

"I know..."

I closed my eyes briefly.

Then looked back at the dresses.

"They're beautiful."

My voice was barely above a whisper.

"...But they all look like cages."

Bianca lowered her gaze.

She didn't have a professional response.

Just then, another voice drifted down the hallway.

"Then don't choose one."

All three of us turned.

Lucien stood at the end of the corridor.

One hand tucked into his trouser pocket.

His expression as unreadable as ever.

He slowly walked toward us, his eyes briefly scanning the gowns before settling on me.

"If you dislike every one of them..."

He looked at Bianca.

"...have new ones made."

Bianca blinked.

"Mr. Moretti..."

"The wedding is tomorrow."

"There won't be enough time."

Lucien's answer was immediate.

"Then they'll work through the night."

Bianca nodded without hesitation.

"Understood."

I stared at him in disbelief.

"...You're serious?"

He met my gaze.

"I don't compromise on standards."

I folded my arms.

"Or on people."

For the briefest moment...

His expression hardened.

Then, just as quickly, it disappeared.

"You'll be ready by tomorrow."

Without waiting for a reply...

He turned and continued walking down the hallway.

Leaving me standing there...

More frustrated than ever.

Lucien's footsteps faded down the hallway.

I watched until he disappeared around the corner.

"...I seriously cannot stand that man."

Bianca let out a nervous laugh.

"I've heard that before."

I raised an eyebrow.

"...From who?"

She quickly shook her head.

"Never mind."

Sophia hid a smile behind her hand.

"Come along, dear."

"We've got quite a lot to do."

I looked at the rack of gowns.

"...I'm not trying them on."

Bianca blinked.

"I'm sorry?"

"I said..."

I folded my arms.

"I'm not trying them on."

The hallway fell silent.

Sophia sighed.

"Oh, dear..."

Bianca forced a polite smile.

"Miss Rossi..."

"It'll only take a few minutes."

"No."

"We'll be very quick."

"No."

Bianca looked helplessly at Sophia.

"...Does she always answer with one word?"

Sophia smiled.

"She's learning from Mr. Moretti."

I couldn't help snorting.

"...Don't compare me to him."

Bianca took a cautious step forward, holding one of the gowns in her hands.

"Miss Rossi..."

"I promise I won't bite."

"I might."

Bianca froze.

"...What?"

"If you come near me with that dress."

Sophia laughed outright this time.

"My goodness..."

"You two really are alike."

"I said don't compare me to him."

Bianca glanced between the two of us before slowly lowering the measuring tape.

"...May I ask why you don't want to try them on?"

I looked at the beautiful white gowns.

My throat tightened.

Then I quietly answered,

"Because the moment I put one on..."

"...it makes everything real."

Silence.

Even Sophia's smile faded.

I looked down at the polished floor.

"I'm trying my best to pretend this isn't happening."

"But the second I wear one of those dresses..."

"...I'll become Lucien Moretti's bride."

"...And I don't think I'm ready for that."

Neither woman spoke for several moments.

Finally...

Sophia gently took my hand.

"You don't have to try on every dress."

She smiled softly.

"Just one."

Bianca nodded.

"We're only making sure it fits."

"You can hate it afterward."

A reluctant sigh escaped me.

"...Fine."

"But only one."

Bianca clapped her hands together.

"Oh, wonderful!"

She hurried to the rack and carefully pulled out a breathtaking gown.

It was elegant.

Simple.

Off-the-shoulder sleeves.

A fitted bodice embroidered with delicate pearls.

The skirt flowed like water.

For a moment...

I forgot to breathe.

"...It's beautiful."

Bianca smiled proudly.

"I had a feeling you'd like this one."

Sophia looked at me warmly.

"Shall we?"

I hesitated.

Then...

Very slowly...

I nodded.

As Bianca and Sophia led me toward the dressing room...

Neither of us noticed the young maid standing at the far end of the hallway.

Hidden behind a marble pillar.

Watching.

Waiting.

The moment we disappeared inside...

She quietly slipped away.