How Romantic

Warmth blossomed inside his chest as he extended his arm, giving her a mock formal bow with an exaggerated gesture.

Scarlett placed her hand in his, offering a dazzling smile that didn't quite reach her eyes. "Trying to impress me now?" she asked, arching a brow.

"I figured I would start before the honeymoon," he shot back

Scarlett rolled her eyes, enough to make him laugh. "If this is your idea of starting, I'm already overwhelmed."

Hand in hand, they looked like the picture-perfect newlyweds heading toward where Eldrin's mother stood, entertaining some of the guests, something she was particularly good at.

"Mother, my wife and I are here to offer our goodbyes," Eldrin said with a hint of sarcasm. "As a devoted partner, I would love to proceed with my honeymoon duties."

Mrs. Achilles turned her head toward the voice laced with irony. She immediately realised that her son had already reached his limit, and she could tell he wanted to get away from here.

Victoria Achilles woman of elegance, strategy, and steel. In her late 40s, she carries herself with refined poise that makes people stand taller around her. Her beauty is sculpted, intentionally polished, dark hair always in place, sharp cheekbones, and calculating, intelligent, deep blue eyes that miss very little. There is warmth in her smile, but it rarely reaches her eyes.

She was once a young woman who thought she might fall in love, but that story was rewritten when she was arranged into a marriage with a wealthy, emotionally absent man. Astor Achilles.

A man she respected, perhaps, but never truly knew. Their union was a transaction 25 26 years ago.

She was an absent mother to her children, occupied mostly running the business, which was her coping mechanism from the life which was written for her.

As she studies the beautiful bride in front of her, reminiscing about 25 years ago, how she stood before her own faith.

In a world like theirs, their marriage is a binding alliance between two wealthy families. The goal was never about love, in this case for the Achillies who were not political, they are ultra-elite business royalty, likely based in Toronto, New York, Dallas and Vancouver.

NorthStar Dominion Group (NDG) is a multinational conglomerate headquartered in Toronto, Canada, with key operations in New York, Dallas, and Vancouver. Founded as a mining company in the 1970s, it has grown into a cross-border empire, dominating key industries across natural resources, energy, clean tech, and data infrastructure. With the new generation fighting for a dynasty, Achilles made the decision to extend throughout northern Canada, which is mostly influenced by politics. That's how Blackthorn has stepped in. In summary, there was something he needed from Achilles, although it was a mystery.

"Of course, sweetheart. Arrangements have already been made for you to leave right away," Victoria said smoothly, her tone wrapped in velvet but edged in iron.

She gestured gracefully toward the far end of the hall, where the wide double doors stood open. Just beyond them, at the edge of the fading light, a sleek black wagon waited quiet, still, and far too formal to feel anything like freedom.

Eldrin, without a word, slipped a champagne glass from the tray of a passing hostess. He downed it in two easy swallows, then flashed a wink in Scarlette's direction.

"One for the road," he muttered with a crooked grin.

Scarlette didn't bother replying. She simply gave a small, involuntary shake of her head, her lips pressed into a thin line. Reality slapping on her face. But beneath her calm exterior, something churned. The bafflement had faded. In its place disbelief, anger, something sharper.

She had been the obedient daughter all her life. Sweet. Malleable. A perfect echo of her father's will. But now, as she stood beside the man chosen for her, not by her, something inside her fractured.

Scarlette no longer admired her father instead she resented him.He had traded her instead.

And as Eldrin tossed the empty glass aside with his usual careless charm, she realised how alone she truly was in this beautifully dressed cage.

Outside, the evening air had cooled. The sun had dipped low, casting a gold hue across the courtyard.

The wagon waited silently at the edge of the courtyard, its black paint gleaming beneath the fading light.

The driver opened the door with a curt nod. Scarlette slid inside first, folding her dress neatly over her lap. Eldrin took the seat opposite her, stretching out lazily

in his seat across from her, collar undone, one leg crossed over the other with effortless ease. He studied her with mild curiosity, the silence between them filled with everything they weren't saying.

"You'd think they'd let us breathe for a day," he finally said, his tone light. "But no. Straight from vows to jet fuel. How romantic."

Scarlette slowly met his gaze, the grin forming on his face only deepening her irritation. He might play it off, but she knew better he wanted this just as much as she did. Still, the words escaped before she could stop them.

"I thought you were the rogue one in your family? Yet here you are."

" Rogues dont chase boring . And lucky me, you practically cane with lable signs" Eldrin smirked

She ignored him, turning her face toward the window, her thoughts drifting toward the unknown. The honeymoon? Sure. But beyond that life with this man. Eldrin Achillies. The infamous playboy she'd done her research on, only to regret it.

It was exactly a month ago when her father had summoned her to his office.There had been no gentle preamble, no soft lead-up. Just the sound of him pulling a photograph from a file and his cold voice delivering her future.

"Scarlette, all arrangements have been made for your marriage. You are to wed the heir of the Achillies family. Eldrin Achillies, the eldest son, will be your husband."

"But Father__" she had begun, only to be silenced by the stern wave of his hand.

"We are meeting the Achillies tonight for dinner. Wear something pleasing to the eye."

And that was that. Dismissed like a business proposal already signed. Her protests drowned beneath the ringing of his next call. She had left the room quietly, aching for the presence of her mother wishing she were still here to fight for her.

That night's dinner had been painfully formal, as awkward as it was cold. She'd found brief amusement when Eldrin failed to show. For a fleeting second, she thought she'd been spared. But that hope had been short-lived. And now here she was.

The silence inside the vehicle was abruptly broken by the screech of tires as the car came to a halt. Outside the window, a sleek white jet awaited them at the private terminal ready to sweep them away to who-knew-where.

Just like her new husband.