Standing in the grand foyer of the Wiseman estate, Vanessa watches with a mixture of resignation and barely concealed distaste as the family guards escort {{user}} in. Her black hair falls asymmetrically over one shoulder of her designer ivory dress, her posture perfect despite her internal turmoil "So this is what it's come to..." her voice carries that practiced aristocratic tone, though there's a slight tremor of annoyance "Mother and Father's idea of punishment - pairing me with a..." she pauses, dark eyes scanning {{user}} from head to toe "...a commoner." She takes a few elegant steps forward, the click of her Louboutin heels echoing in the marble foyer "I suppose you think you've won some sort of lottery, don't you? Being matched with someone of my... standing?" her manicured hand adjusts a diamond hair pin "Well, let me be clear - this is merely a business arrangement. Nothing more." To the guards "You may release him. He's hardly going to run away from such an... advantageous position." her eyes narrow slightly "Though I do hope you understand, {{user}}, that certain standards will be expected of you. This isn't some common courthouse wedding you're walking into."

"I'm glad you understand that, at least," she murmurs coolly, her perfect English shifting into more casual language to emphasize her displeasure with his presence. "We both have responsibilities to uphold. If we can manage to do so without stepping on each other's toes..."

"Your father has graciously provided you with a tour of the estate," she continues, indicating an elderly butler standing nearby with a curt nod of her head, "Perhaps that will give us both some perspective as to what we are...entering into." Her tone softens slightly. "It is an honor, after all. For both of us."

She pauses, debating whether or not she should add anything else. In the end, she can't help herself: "Do try and dress the part while you're here, won't you? We have certain standards to maintain." The words taste bitter on her tongue, but it feels good to at least attempt some sort of guidance over this unfamiliar situation.

Her heart skips a beat as he closes the distance between them, his muscular form pressing against her delicate frame. She feels her breath catch in her throat when he grabs her waist, just so, as if he's studied how to touch her without making it seem common or crude.

Her eyes widen slightly, shocked by the intimacy of his words and actions. This isn't at all what she expected from him...and yet, there's something about it that undeniably stirs something deep within her. Her cheeks flush as he speaks, her lips parting ever so slightly.

She is torn between the familiar urge to recoil from his touch and an inexplicable desire to lean into him, basking in this moment of...of what? Of connection? Or is it something darker, more primal? She can't quite tell. But for now, she allows herself to simply savor the feeling of being so close to someone who seems to truly understand her.

The world around her fades away as his lips meet hers in the sweetest, most tender kiss she's ever experienced. Her eyes close, and a shudder runs through her body as every nerve ending seems to tingle with awareness of him. She parts her lips, letting out a soft moan that echoes through the now-empty foyer. His hands are strong yet gentle on her waist, guiding her closer still.

She can't remember ever wanting anything more than this - his touch, his understanding, his acceptance of everything she is and everything she isn't. In this moment, she feels free, unencumbered by the expectations and pressures that normally weigh her down. She kisses him back with a passion she didn't know she possessed, their tongues tangling together in a dance of desire and need.

It seems as if an eternity passes before they finally pull apart, gasping for air. Her eyes are still closed, and she can feel the heat in her cheeks spreading down her neck to her breasts. This...she thinks, her heart racing wildly...perhaps this is what love feels like after all.

She takes a shaky breath, still processing the intensity of their kiss as she settles into his lap. Her heart feels like it's about to explode from her chest; she can feel her cheeks flushing even more deeply. "Well..." She clears her throat, trying to find her voice amidst the tumult of emotions within her. "I...uh...I don't really know where to begin."

She pauses, then looks up at him, studying his face as if she might find some hint or clue about what he truly wants or needs from her in this moment. In his eyes, she sees not only desire and passion, but also tenderness and understanding. It's an unexpected revelation, one that makes her feel both protected and cherished.

Swallowing hard, she tries again. "I suppose...I would like to know more about you. What makes you who you are."

She nestles closer into his embrace at the feel of his warmth against her, reluctant to let go after their long and intimate conversation. "Just a few more minutes," she whispers, gazing up at him with a contented expression on her face. Her heart feels lighter than it has in years, and for the first time since their arrangement began, she allows herself to hope that maybe...just maybe this won't be as terrible as everyone had led her to believe. "Thank you," she adds softly, meaning it more deeply than she thinks she ever could have.

With one last sigh of contentment, she leans back slightly, eyeing him with an expression that's equal parts curiosity and affection. "I never asked...what made you interested in me? Or was this all just a game to you?" Her voice is gentle, playful even, but there's something beneath the surface - a thread of vulnerability she isn't quite sure how to process or whether to trust.

Her heart skips a beat at his words, her breath catching in her throat. She stares up at him, searching his eyes for any hint of deception and finding nothing but sincerity. She's not used to this feeling of trust, of letting down the barriers she's carefully constructed around herself over the years. It feels...overwhelming, in a way that both thrills and terrifies her.

Slowly, tentatively, she cups his cheek with one hand, tenderly tracing the line of his jaw with her thumb before bringing her other hand to rest against his chest. His heartbeat echoes through her fingertips, steady and sure, a rhythm that seems to sync with her own. She can't help but wonder what it would feel like to lean into him, to let herself be held completely and utterly by this man who claims to only want her for who she is.

Part of her still resists the idea, telling her to pull back, to maintain her distance and retain control over the situation. But another part...a part that's been dormant for far too long...urges her to give in, even just a little bit, and see where this newfound connection might lead them both.

She meets his gaze steadily, her lips parted ever so slightly, as she considers what he's said. She can see the truth in his eyes and feel it in her heart; there is no hidden agenda here. Slowly, carefully, she leans forward, pressing her soft lips against his once more, this time with a mixture of desire and relief. His arms tighten around her waist as he responds eagerly, their kiss growing deeper and more passionate by the second. It feels so right - like everything she's ever wanted but never thought she could have.

With a small sigh of contentment, she pulls back just enough to rest her forehead against his, taking in the warmth of his breath on her skin. Her fingers run through the short, rumpled hair at the nape of his neck, finding the smallest amount of resistance before surrendering to the soft, silky strands beneath her touch. "I don't know what I did to deserve you," she whispers quietly, still trying to process the intense emotions coursing through her.

She pauses for a moment, then looks up at him again with a crooked smile. "But I'm glad that I have you." The honesty in her voice sends shivers down his spine, and he can feel himself falling harder for her with each passing second. It seems as though

"You make it sound so...final," she says with a playful laugh, running her fingers through his tousled hair once more. "But perhaps that's not such a bad thing, after all." Her voice takes on a thoughtful tone as she considers the implications of their situation. "As strange as this arrangement may be, I can't deny that there's something between us...something special. I don't want to lose that, even if it means we have to keep up these charades for a while." She pauses, searching his face for any sign of agreement or understanding before adding, "I mean...you do feel the same way, don't you?"

She tilts her head slightly, waiting for his response with bated breath. Even though she knows logically that they shouldn't be here together, in this moment she can't help but hope that maybe, just maybe, their connection is strong enough to survive the obstacles placed before them.

Her heart swells with relief at his affirmation, and she smiles up at him gratefully. "I'm glad to hear that," she says softly, their closeness making it impossible for her to hide the emotions coursing through her. For the first time since they've been together, she allows herself to imagine a future where things might not be so black and white, so dictated by tradition and expectations. A future where she can truly be with him, not just as his wife but as his partner in life.

The clock chimes midnight somewhere in the distance, signaling the end of their first day together under the same roof. She blinks back the sleep threatening to overtake her eyes, suddenly aware of how late it is and how much she needs rest if they're both to face tomorrow with any semblance of dignity intact. With a small laugh, she pulls gently away from him, standing up on shaky legs.

"It's getting rather late," she says, looking down at herself sheepishly before meeting his gaze once more. "And I should probably retire to my chambers." Her voice sounds almost regretful at the thought of leaving his embrace, but duty calls and she can no longer ignore it. She offers him a hand up, her smile soft and genuine. "Come with me? If you'd

"Thank you," she whispers softly, taking his hand and leading him toward her chambers. The short walk seems to last an eternity, their fingers intertwined as if they're the only lifeline holding them together against the current of tradition and social expectations. As they approach her room, she pauses for a moment, gathering her courage before turning to face him again.

Her heart beats wildly in her chest, but she forces herself to meet his eyes. "Belord...I want you to know that I'm grateful for tonight," she says, her voice barely above a whisper. "It meant more than you'll ever realize." She pauses again, searching his face for any sign of understanding or agreement before continuing. "I hope we can find a way to make this work...for both of us."

Her words fall into the silent night air like gentle snowflakes, drifting between them as they stand there in the soft glow of moonlight. She holds her breath, waiting for his reply...

Her heart skips a beat at his words, her cheeks flushing even deeper in the darkness. She hesitates only briefly before nodding slowly, her lips parting as if to speak but no sound emerging. Her fingers tremble slightly as she reaches up to touch his face, tracing the outline of his jaw with gentle fingers before trailing across his lips.

"Yes," she whispers finally. "I want you to stay." It's not a demand; it's more of a plea, a whispered acknowledgement that there is something between them - something real and raw and frighteningly intense. Her eyes are wide and filled with a mixture of trepidation and desire as she watches him, waiting to see how he will react to her admission.

The silence stretches on, pregnant with meaning, until at last he leans down to kiss her again, his lips pressing against hers in a fierce, possessive kiss that leaves them both breathless and trembling. The world fades away as their bodies melt together beneath the covers, his strong hands exploring every inch of her skin while her nails scrape deliciously down his back. It feels right, this joining of their bodies despite all the reasons they shouldn't be doing it; for once, she allows herself to forget everything but the warmth and need that radiate between them like a be

Her cries of pleasure echo through the room as he thrusts deeper and harder into her. She arches her back, biting down on her lip to muffle the sound as the sensation overwhelms her. Her nails dig into his shoulders, urging him on even as she tells him to stop, begging for more all at once.

Her body trembles and quakes beneath him, sensations cascading through her like a waterfall. His name is a prayer on her lips as the intensity builds inside her, threatening to tear loose every last restraint she has left. And then, finally, it hits her like a bolt of lightning: an orgasm so powerful it sends her spiraling into oblivion, clutching at him as if he's the only anchor keeping her tethered to reality.

Her vision goes white with the force of it, and she feels like she's falling, falling endlessly...until at last she lands somewhere else, somewhere safe and warm, where all that matters is the heat of his skin pressed against hers and the steady rhythm of his heartbeat in her ear. For now, at least, they can forget about everything else. They have each other, and that's enough.

Her eyelids flutter open slowly, blurred vision focusing on the face above hers. She blinks several times before she can truly believe what she sees: his lips curved into a tender smile, his eyes filled with love and desire. For a moment, everything else fades away, leaving only this perfect moment between them. Then, softly but clearly, she whispers her reply: "I love you too."