The Price of loyalty
721 Words
The Moore estate was preparing for the upcoming formal dinner—one of the many staged events meant to show the world that Adrian Moore was still the shining heir of the empire, and that his new wife fit seamlessly into the picture. Of course, both were lies. Beautiful, carefully curated lies.
Aurora stood in front of the mirror in her dressing room while a hired stylist pinned her hair into a neat updo. A soft cream gown had been laid out for her—a flawless blend of grace and elegance, chosen by Mrs. Moore herself.
“I feel like a doll,” she murmured.
The stylist smiled without meeting her eyes. “That’s the point, madam.”
She didn’t know whether to laugh or cry.
---
Down the hall, Adrian refused to be fitted for his tux.
“I’m not some prop for their puppet show,” he snapped.
His mother sighed, standing stiff in the doorway. “You’ll wear it. You’ll smile. You’ll sit beside her and be charming for the cameras. That’s all that’s expected.”
Adrian wheeled himself toward her. “And what if I don’t?”
Mrs. Moore’s face hardened. “Then everything your grandfather has protected you from—all the whispers, the board members circling like vultures, the press—will crash down. And you’ll have brought it on yourself.”
Adrian’s silence spoke volumes.
“You may not walk, Adrian,” she added coldly, “but you still have a legacy to carry. Don’t throw it away.”
---
That evening, just before the dinner began, Aurora knocked on Adrian’s door.
He opened it slowly, already dressed, looking more like a prince in exile than a man in control.
“You clean up well,” she said softly.
“Don’t get used to it.”
“I wasn’t planning to.”
But her lips curled, and his eyes caught the warmth of it before he could look away.
She hesitated. “Why are you doing it?”
He raised an eyebrow. “The dinner?”
She nodded. “You hate all of this.”
He looked at her a moment too long. “Because if I don’t, they’ll come for you next.”
She blinked. “What?”
“My grandfather can protect me. But he won’t protect you. Not if he thinks you’re a weakness.” He paused. “And you’ve already proven you’re not.”
Aurora’s heart twisted.
“Thank you,” she whispered.
Adrian nodded once, wheeling past her. “Let’s go smile for the wolves.”
---
The dinner was a symphony of elegance and cold ambition.
Guests from high society sat around a glass chandelier-lit dining room, crystal glasses clinking, silverware shining. The Moores put on a perfect show—charming, polished, elite.
Aurora sat beside Adrian at the long table. He played his part well, even laughed once—though only she noticed the tension in his fingers every time someone praised his "strength" or complimented his "bravery."
Across the room, she spotted a familiar face: her father.
He stood near the wine table, speaking to one of Mr. Moore’s business partners, eyes gleaming like a man who had won the lottery.
Her stomach turned.
Later, when the crowd moved to the ballroom, he approached her.
“My dear daughter,” Mr. Bennett said smoothly. “You’ve made quite an impression.”
Aurora looked at him, seeing through the polished suit and forced pride.
“You sold me,” she said flatly.
He froze.
“This wasn’t a rescue. It was a transaction. Don’t stand here acting like a father now.”
Mr. Bennett’s face twitched, but before he could respond, a voice spoke from behind.
“She’s no one’s property.”
Adrian had rolled up beside them, eyes hard as steel.
Aurora stepped closer to him instinctively.
Mr. Bennett gave a tight nod and walked away, vanishing into the crowd.
Aurora looked down at Adrian, heart pounding.
“You didn’t have to—”
“I know,” he said quietly. “But I wanted to.”
---
In a room full of powerful men and fake smiles, Aurora realized something terrifying and beautiful.
Adrian Moore was becoming her shield.
And she was slowly becoming his reason to fight again.
---
End of Chapter Six
- Writer
