Part 1
The first rays of sunlight slipped across the Verden estate, soft and golden, illuminating the sprawling gardens that had been a battlefield of secrecy just hours before. Yet the morning seemed calm, almost deceptively peaceful. Liana stood at her bedroom window, fingers brushing the glass as she watched the dew glisten on the rose bushes. Her chest still throbbed with the memory of the night before—the stolen touches, whispered promises, and the shadow of Darius looming over them.
She could hear the soft clatter of servants beginning their day, the rustle of skirts and footsteps on the polished floors, but her mind was elsewhere. Thoughts of Eren consumed her, his protective presence, the warmth of his hand in hers, the intensity in his gaze. A forbidden love—unblessed by the world—yet more alive than anything she had ever known.
Her parents' voices, sharp and commanding, drifted faintly from the hallway. Her mother was calling for her, and Liana's stomach knotted. She knew the morning would bring questions, expectations, perhaps even threats.
---
Downstairs, the grand hall of the estate gleamed in the soft morning light. Darius was already present, seated with an air of casual dominance that masked the danger he carried like a cloak. He was surrounded by advisors and servants, all watching him with the respect born of fear. His gaze swept the room with predatory precision, and when it landed on Liana, she felt it pierce her as sharply as a blade.
Her father cleared his throat. "Liana," he said, voice firm, carrying the authority of the Verden name. "We need to speak about your future."
Darius' faint smile made her shiver. The night's tension hadn't fully left her, and seeing him so composed, so dangerously calm, only reminded her of the threat he posed.
"I…" Liana began, but her voice faltered under the weight of the room, the eyes upon her, and the unspoken pressure to obey.
"Do not hesitate," her mother said sharply. "A decision must be made. The choice of your suitor is not just about affection—it is about duty, wealth, and the family's future."
---
Eren, hidden in the servant's quarters to avoid detection, watched from the shadows. Every fiber of his being tensed at the thought of Liana under Darius' gaze, pressured by her family. He knew that one wrong move, one slip, and the fragile bond they had nurtured in secrecy could shatter.
His heart ached as he imagined her standing there, poised yet terrified, feeling the weight of expectations pressing upon her delicate shoulders.
I will protect her, he thought fiercely. No matter the cost. No matter the danger.
---
Liana's gaze flicked to Darius, who remained seated with an unnervingly calm smile, his eyes never leaving her. Every movement he made was deliberate, calculated, as though he was playing a game where she was the prize—and losing meant destruction.
"Darius," her father said formally, "you have been most patient. But time is of the essence. Liana's hand must be promised… soon."
Her mother's sharp glance added weight to the words. Liana felt the walls closing in, the air heavy with expectation and threat. She wanted to speak, to refuse, to follow her heart—but the world seemed to press against her, demanding obedience.
---
In the shadows, Eren clenched his fists, heart hammering. He had to act, but every plan had to be perfect. One misstep could mean disaster—not just for him, but for Liana. His mind raced, weighing options, calculating risks, and preparing for the moment when he would have to confront Darius directly.
Meanwhile, Liana's thoughts swirled with a tempest of fear and longing. She remembered the night, the stolen touches, the whispered promises, the defiance in Eren's gaze. The love that had grown in the shadows was now under threat from the world's bright, unyielding light.
I cannot betray him, she thought, heart pounding. I will endure… but I must protect our love.
---
Darius rose slowly, the sound of his movements sharp against the quiet morning. His smile widened, calm but menacing. "The morning brings clarity," he said softly, voice laced with danger. "And I trust that clarity will guide our decisions… wisely."
Liana felt the weight of the words like a stone pressing on her chest. But beneath the fear, a spark of determination ignited. She would not allow the world—or Darius—to dictate her heart. She would find a way. She had to.