A Future Already Decided

Ezekiel sat in silence, his fingers tightening around the ancient parchment.

The weight of centuries-old magic settled heavily on his shoulders.

An unbreakable marriage contract… with Daphne Greengrass.

He had known his responsibilities as Lord Ravenclaw would come with expectations—alliances, political maneuvering, and power struggles. But he had never imagined that his future marriage had already been decided centuries before his birth.

His mind reeled.

Would his father have told him if he had known?

Would Daphne even accept this?

And most importantly—what did this mean for him?

---

Ezekiel looked up at the goblin across from him. "How exactly does this contract work?"

The goblin adjusted his spectacles. "It is bound by an ancient magical covenant. Unlike modern contracts, it cannot be annulled, voided, or altered. Should either party attempt to resist it, the magic will force compliance through natural progression."

Ezekiel's eyes narrowed. "Natural progression?"

"The two of you will inevitably be drawn together, my lord. Whether by fate, circumstance, or subconscious attraction, this magic ensures that the bond is fulfilled before your seventeenth birthday."

Ezekiel clenched his jaw. Magic itself would make sure they married.

He had no choice. And neither did Daphne.

The thought unsettled him.

"I assume I should tell my father?"

The goblin nodded. "It is best that House Malverne and House Greengrass are made aware immediately."

Ezekiel exhaled sharply. "Right. Send a message to my father. I'll inform Lord Greengrass myself."

---

That evening, Ezekiel sat in his study, staring at the sealed Greengrass family crest on the letter he had just written.

He didn't know how Daphne's father, Cyrus Greengrass, would react. Would he be furious? Would he try to fight it?

Would Daphne?

She was his childhood friend. They had grown up together.

Would she resent him for this?

He sighed. There was no point in delaying.

Summoning his family owl, he fastened the letter and watched as it disappeared into the night.

By tomorrow, everything would change.

---