Curious

Aurora P.O.V

My happiness didn't last long. The moment I had a chance to think, curiosity crept in, gnawing at me like a persistent itch. Why would Lucian—yes, Lucian—suddenly barge into my wedding, demand a marriage certificate, and act as if it was perfectly normal? This was the same man who had looked me in the eyes and rejected me without hesitation when I proposed to him. What had changed?

The sleek black cars parked outside the wedding hall were a mystery in themselves. They stood out, gleaming under the sunlight, almost mocking the simplicity of the ceremony. When I followed Lucian into his Porsche, the air inside was thick with tension. The moment the door clicked shut, the questions bubbling inside me threatened to spill over.

I stole a glance at him as he adjusted the cuffs of his tailored suit, his expression unreadable. He looked as though he hadn't just stormed into a room full of people and shattered my life as I knew it.

Finally, I couldn't hold back anymore. "Why did you do it?" I asked softly, my voice barely above a whisper.

His eyes flicked toward me briefly before returning to the road. "Do what?"

"You know what I mean," I said, trying to sound firm. "Why did you barge into my wedding like that? You rejected me when I proposed to you, but now—"

His grip on the steering wheel tightened slightly. "Do you want me to take you back?"

The words caught me off guard, and for a moment, I faltered. "No! No, I'm happy you came," I stammered, rushing to clarify. "I just don't understand—why the sudden change of heart?"

"My mind works quickly, princess," he replied smoothly, his lips curling into a faint smirk. "No one can predict my next move."

"But—" I began, only for him to cut me off again.

"Are you always this talkative?" he asked, his tone laced with irritation. "I don't deal well with chatterboxes. If you don't like it here, I can drop you off."

That stung. His words were like a slap, silencing me instantly. I clenched my fists, my stomach churning with unspoken questions. The bubbling curiosity within me fizzled into reluctant obedience, and I turned my gaze out the window, biting my tongue.

When the car finally pulled up to an estate, I couldn't suppress a gasp. The mansion—or rather, the palace—was breathtaking. Though not as sprawling as my father's, it was exquisite in its own way. The architecture was intricate, with ivy-covered walls and flower-laden balconies that looked like something out of a fairytale. Every detail screamed wealth and power.

Lucian stepped out first, his movements precise and calculated, and opened the door for me. I hesitated, feeling an odd sense of foreboding as I placed my hand in his and let him help me out. The air was cool, but it did little to ease the tension knotting my shoulders.

He led me inside without a word, and I struggled to keep up as we navigated the grand hallways. The guards in black suits disappeared one by one, their silence adding to the unease that hung in the air. Finally, we stopped in front of a large double door, and Lucian pushed it open, revealing an opulent bedroom.

"This will be your room," he said curtly, stepping inside with me.

The room was stunning, with a canopy bed draped in silk and a chandelier casting a warm, golden glow over the space. But before I could fully take it in, Lucian's voice pulled me back to reality.

"Go freshen up," he said, gesturing toward a door that presumably led to the bathroom.

I hesitated, my gaze flickering between him and the bathroom door. Was he seriously planning to stay in the room while I bathed?

"What's wrong?" he asked, raising an eyebrow at my expression.

I gave him a look that clearly conveyed, You're here. How am I supposed to bathe?

A smirk tugged at the corner of his lips, and he leaned casually against the doorframe. "We're married, princess. I'm your husband. I can watch you if I want."

His words made my cheeks burn, and I opened my mouth to protest, but he cut me off before I could speak. "Don't worry," he added, his tone softening slightly. "I'll be a gentleman. There's a towel in there, and I'll leave a nightgown out for you."

"We're not married," I blurted out, my voice sharper than I intended. "The certificate you provided was fake, remember?"

His smirk widened, but there was an edge to it now. "Keep your questions to yourself, princess," he said, his voice taking on a warning tone. "Go take your bath. You reek of someone I don't like."

The disgust in his voice made me flinch, and I knew better than to argue further. If he could interrupt my wedding without a second thought, he could just as easily return me to my father's palace—or worse.

I obeyed, stepping into the bathroom and closing the door behind me. The warmth of the bathwater was a welcome relief, soothing my tense muscles and calming my nerves. As I sank deeper into the tub, the events of the day replayed in my mind, leaving me more confused than ever.

When I finally emerged, I found a towel hung neatly on the wall and wrapped it around myself before stepping back into the bedroom.

Lucian was sitting at a desk, his back to me, typing away on a sleek laptop. The glow from the screen highlighted the sharp angles of his face, making him look even more imposing. True to his word, he'd laid out a nightgown on the bed.

I picked it up, my stomach twisting as I realized how sheer it was. The delicate fabric was soft against my skin, but it left little to the imagination. With a deep breath, I slipped it on and quickly darted under the covers, pulling the sheets around me to hide.

A low chuckle escaped Lucian's lips, and I peeked out to see him shaking his head.

"You're awfully shy for someone who claimed to be ready to marry me," he said, amusement evident in his tone.

I scowled, the heat rising to my cheeks again. "That was before I realized what kind of man you are."

His laughter stopped abruptly, and he turned to face me, his expression unreadable. For a moment, the room was silent, the tension thick in the air. Then, without another word, he turned back to his laptop, leaving me to wonder what I'd gotten myself into.