The Royal Singer

The singer led Rohan into an empty room, closing the door softly behind them. She turned to face him, and for a moment, they simply stared into each other's eyes, the silence stretching between them.

"How have you been?" she asked softly.

"Wonderful. And you? You look absolutely ravishing today, Sophia," Rohan said with a genuine smile.

"Thank you," she replied, a hint of warmth in her eyes. "You look... good yourself."

"Thank you, Sophia," he said, his tone light but curious. "Now, tell me, what do I owe this discussion? You mentioned that you had something important to talk about."

Sophia pressed her lips together, her hands clenching into fists at her sides. "Yes, I did." She paused, inhaling deeply as if steadying herself. "My father wants me to be settled by the end of the year. If I fail to do so, he will send me away to my aunt's house."

A tense silence settled between them, thick and suffocating.