CHAPTER 12

The weekend arrived sooner than I expected, bringing with it the weight of wedding preparations I wanted no part of.

At exactly ten in the morning, the designer, a tall and elegant woman named Elise, arrived at the villa. She was dressed in a sleek black dress, her auburn hair tied into a perfect bun. Her presence radiated professionalism, but I could already sense what was coming.

She wasn’t here to ask me what I wanted.

She was here to present what Heinrich wanted.

Just like everything else in this ridiculous arrangement.

“Good morning, Miss Mariane,” Elise greeted me with a polite smile.

I forced a smile in return. “Morning.”

Two assistants followed behind her, carrying garment bags that I assumed held the dresses. My heart pounded as I sat on the couch, waiting for them to reveal what was inside.

“We’ve prepared several dresses based on Mr. Volkov’s preferences,” Elise explained. “He was very particular about the designs.”

Of course, he was.

She gestured to her assistants, and they unzipped the first bag.

My eyes widened.

The first dress was a classic ball gown with an extravagant skirt, layers upon layers of ivory tulle cascading down to form a massive, princess-like silhouette. The bodice was adorned with intricate silver embroidery, sparkling under the soft light of the room. A sweetheart neckline completed the look, and long lace gloves came with it.

It was stunning.

But it wasn’t me.

It screamed elegant trophy wife, which, I assumed, was exactly what Heinrich wanted.

I didn’t even have time to react before Elise gestured for the second dress to be revealed.

This one was more daring—a fitted mermaid-style gown that hugged every curve, made of shimmering silk. It had a plunging V-neckline that dipped dangerously low, the fabric held together by delicate crystal straps. The back was entirely open, with intricate lace detailing trailing down to a long train.

Sexy. Sophisticated.

And completely out of my comfort zone.

I barely had a second to process before the third dress was unveiled.

This one was sleeker, modern. A minimalist A-line dress with a high neckline and long sleeves, made of smooth satin. It was timeless and elegant, but there was something almost… cold about it. Restrained.

Like it was meant to display me, not let me be me.

And then the final dress.

A corset-style bodice with sheer lace, paired with a dramatic, flowing skirt made of layers of organza. The design was breathtaking, the lace climbing up the neckline like delicate vines, the pearl embellishments catching the light beautifully.

But I still didn’t feel anything.

I stared at all four dresses in silence.

Elise was watching me expectantly, waiting for my decision.

I let out a slow breath and shook my head.

“I don’t like any of them.”

Elise’s polite smile faltered for a second before she quickly composed herself. “Oh? I’m sure we can make some adjustments if there’s something specific you—”

“No,” I cut her off. “It’s not about adjustments. It’s that none of these dresses are to my taste. They’re not… me.”

A tense silence filled the room.

And then—

A familiar voice spoke from behind me.

“Well, that’s unfortunate.”

I turned my head sharply to see Heinrich standing in the doorway, arms crossed, his sharp green eyes watching me with something between amusement and irritation.

“I spent weeks choosing those dresses,” he continued, stepping into the room.

I crossed my arms. “Then maybe you should have spent those weeks asking me what I liked instead.”

He let out a dry chuckle. “Why? It’s not like your opinion matters.”

I felt my fingers twitch with the urge to throw something at his smug face.

“Excuse me?” I said, my voice dangerously calm.

He stepped closer, towering over me. “This wedding isn’t about you, Mariane. It’s about us. And I won’t have my future wife walking down the aisle in something that doesn’t meet my standards.”

I scoffed. “Your standards? Heinrich, you’re not the one wearing the damn dress.”

He smirked. “No, but I’ll be the one looking at you in it. And I’d rather not be disappointed.”

My nails dug into my palms as my anger flared.

“I would rather walk down the aisle naked than wear something I don’t like on my wedding day,” I shot back.

The room went silent.

Elise’s assistants looked like they wanted to disappear.

Heinrich’s smirk widened, his eyes darkening with something unreadable.

“Careful, Mariane,” he said, voice low. “I might take that as an offer.”

Heat flared in my cheeks, but I refused to back down.

“I don’t care what you want,” I snapped. “This is my wedding dress. My choice. And if you don’t like that, then that’s just too damn bad.”

His jaw tensed. “You’re being difficult.”

“And you’re being a control freak.”

Heinrich let out a frustrated sigh and pinched the bridge of his nose, as if trying to rein in his temper.

“You will wear one of those dresses,” he said finally, voice edged with finality.

“No. I won’t.”

He clenched his jaw. “Mariane.”

I lifted my chin defiantly. “I am not wearing something that doesn’t feel like me, Heinrich. You don’t get to decide that for me.”

His emerald eyes burned into mine.

For a moment, it was just the two of us, locked in a silent war of wills.

Then, without another word, he turned to Elise.

“Elise, leave the dresses here. We’ll figure this out later.”

Elise nodded quickly, gathering her assistants and exiting the room as fast as she could.

The moment the door shut, I exhaled sharply.

I could feel Heinrich’s frustration, the air between us crackling with unresolved tension.

He ran a hand through his hair, exhaling slowly before turning back to me.

“You really don’t like any of them?” he asked, quieter this time.

I shook my head. “No.”

His jaw worked, but he didn’t argue.

For a long moment, neither of us spoke.

Then, he finally sighed. “Fine.”

I blinked. “Fine?”

His lips pressed into a thin line. “Fine. Pick whatever you want.”

Shock filled me.

He was actually compromising?

I stared at him, suspicious. “What’s the catch?”

He rolled his eyes. “No catch, Mariane. Just… choose something reasonable.”

I narrowed my eyes at him, still doubtful, but for now, I would take the small victory.

“Fine,” I muttered.

He smirked. “Fine. What kind of dress do you like? I’ll tell Elise to prepare it.”

I crossed my arms, still feeling wary of his sudden change of heart. “Are you actually asking me, or is this just another way of controlling my choices?”

Heinrich sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. “I’m asking.”

I studied him for a moment before deciding to take his words at face value. If he was actually giving me a choice, I wouldn’t waste it.

“I want something extravagant,” I said firmly. “Something that will make everyone’s jaws drop the moment I walk in.”

He raised an eyebrow. “Extravagant?”

“Yes. If this wedding is supposed to be a spectacle, then I should at least look like a queen.”

He chuckled, shaking his head. “I thought you wanted something simple.”

“Well, I changed my mind.” I met his gaze. “You said I could choose, didn’t you?”

His lips curled into a smirk. “Fine. I’ll let Elise know.”

When we arrived at the boutique, Elise, the designer, was already waiting with an array of dresses displayed on mannequins. The boutique was lavish, with marble floors, golden chandeliers, and floor-length mirrors reflecting the soft glow of the lighting.

“Miss Mariane, Mr. Volkov,” Elise greeted with a polite nod. “I heard that we are going for something extravagant today.”

I smiled. “Yes, we are.”

Heinrich leaned back in one of the armchairs, watching me with amusement. “Let’s see if you actually mean that.”

Elise clapped her hands, and her assistants quickly began pulling out different gowns, each more stunning than the last.

The first dress was breathtaking—an ivory ball gown with intricate gold embroidery cascading down the bodice and skirt. The neckline was off-shoulder, with delicate lace sleeves that draped over my arms. The full skirt flowed like a waterfall, shimmering with every movement.

I stepped onto the platform, looking at myself in the mirror.

“It’s beautiful,” I murmured.

“But?” Heinrich asked, his voice laced with knowing amusement.

I sighed. “But it’s not powerful enough.”

He smirked. “Then try another one.”

The next dress was even more dramatic—a sleek mermaid gown made of pure satin, hugging my curves before flaring out at the bottom. The bodice was adorned with sparkling crystals, and the back was cut low, exposing just enough skin to be daring yet sophisticated.

I turned from side to side, admiring the way the fabric clung to me like a second skin.

“This one is stunning,” Elise said.

I nodded. It was beautiful, but something still felt… off.

“It’s not dramatic enough,” I said finally.

Heinrich chuckled from his seat. “You want drama now?”

I turned to him with a determined expression. “Yes. If I have to marry you in front of the whole world, I want to make sure they never forget how I looked doing it.”

His eyes darkened slightly, his amusement shifting into something else. “Interesting.”

Elise brought out the final option, and the moment I saw it, I knew.

The dress was pure white, with silver embroidery woven into the fabric like a masterpiece. The bodice was structured, cinching my waist in the most regal way. The neckline was a deep, elegant V, while the shoulders had delicate feathered details that added a touch of uniqueness. But the true masterpiece was the skirt—it was long, flowing, with an extended train that seemed endless. When I moved, it shimmered as if dusted with diamonds.

I stepped into it, feeling the weight of the fabric, the richness of the details.

When I turned to the mirror, I barely recognized myself.

“This…” I whispered. “This is it.”

Even Heinrich had gone silent.

I turned to face him, standing tall. “This is what I want to wear.”

He studied me for a moment before standing up and walking over. Slowly, he trailed his fingers down the sleeve of the gown, his touch barely grazing my skin.

“It suits you,” he finally said, his voice quieter than usual.

I smirked. “Of course it does.”

His lips twitched as if he wanted to laugh, but instead, he simply nodded. “Fine. This is the one.”

After finalizing the dress, Heinrich insisted that we go out and find shoes to match.

We arrived at an exclusive luxury boutique, where crystal chandeliers illuminated the endless rows of high-end footwear.

Predictably, Heinrich walked ahead and picked up a pair of his choice.

“These will do,” he said, handing me a pair of six-inch silver stilettos encrusted with tiny diamonds. They were beautiful, but also impractical.

I didn’t even bother looking at them properly before shaking my head. “No.”

His expression darkened. “No?”

I crossed my arms. “No. I want to pick my own shoes.”

His grip on the stilettos tightened slightly before he exhaled, placing them back down. “Fine. Choose whatever you want. But they have to be elegant.”

I rolled my eyes. “Obviously.”

I walked past him, ignoring the smug look on his face as I searched the shelves for something I actually liked. Eventually, I found the perfect pair—ivory-colored heels with a moderate heel height, a satin finish, and delicate pearl detailing along the straps.

They were elegant without being excessive. Beautiful without being impractical.

I turned to Heinrich, half-expecting another argument.

Instead, he just raised an eyebrow. “Those?”

“Yes.”

He glanced at the shoes, then at me. “At least they don’t look cheap.”

I sighed. “Well, thank you for your approval, Your Highness.”

His lips twitched like he wanted to smirk, but he refrained. “We’re done here, then.”

As we settled into the car, I turned to him. “Since we’re already on wedding preparations, can I see the wedding venue and the guest list?”

Heinrich didn’t even hesitate. “No.”

I blinked. “Excuse me?”

His green eyes remained fixed on the road, his hands resting casually on the steering wheel. “I said no.”

I frowned. “Why not? I should at least know where I’m getting married and who’s attending.”

He let out a low chuckle. “You’re acting as if this is a normal wedding. It’s not, Mariane. The only thing you get to choose is what you wear, your makeup, and your hairstyle. That’s it.”

I clenched my fists. “That’s ridiculous! How can I not know—”

“Because this isn’t about you,” he cut me off smoothly. “It’s about the image.”

I gritted my teeth. “So what? I’m just supposed to show up, looking like a perfect little bride, and say ‘I do’ to a man who doesn’t even respect my choices?”

His lips curled into a smirk. “Now you’re getting it.”

I wanted to strangle him.

“This is insane, Heinrich. What if I want to invite my friends?”

He glanced at me briefly before focusing back on the road. “Already handled.”

I frowned. “What do you mean?”

“I already invited your friends. Their invitations will be delivered tomorrow.”

My jaw dropped. “You—what?”

He shrugged. “I made sure the people you’d want there will be present. You don’t need to worry about it.”

I stared at him, my frustration growing. “You don’t even know who my friends are.”

“I made a list based on the people you were closest to before moving into my house.”

I inhaled sharply, my patience reaching its limit. “Do you hear yourself? Do you even realize how controlling you sound right now?”

He smirked. “I hear myself just fine. And if you’re done throwing a tantrum, we can go home.”

I turned away, arms crossed, my entire body tense with frustration.

Fine. He wanted to play his game? I would play mine.

But one thing was for sure—Heinrich Volkov may have controlled everything else, but I would not let him take away the last bit of dignity I had left.