Marriage of

he was relieved, anxious and perplexed all at once. Aiden did not say anything more to her, and even though he was not looking at her, the set of his jaw and his grip on th

large house, surrounded by a beautiful garden and high fences, which guaranteed absolute confidentiality.

e asked with a low

ar her high heels clacking on the red cobblestone driveway. The grand doors opened a

ngton," head butler John who had served t

ars later. Aiden took her hand and guided her inside ', touching her gently at the lower part of her spine. She only expected th

everberating in the emptiness of the large room. "You c

mix of awe and trepidat

cuss the details of our arrangement in the mornin

d to her was large and decorated in good taste with a huge king size that she could only imagine how comfortable it would be to

t sunlight was pouring inside the room making the atmosphere warm. Taking a deep breath, she constructed herself for the

le set for breakfast with lots of food. He rose as she walked in; h

iden offered her a cup of coffee, and when he handed the cup to her, his hands did no

ipping her cup ti

ul brown eyes. "In public, we have to appear as a married couple, though o

suddenly dry. "And what are

. "You will attend social functions with me, manage household affairs, and support

y, processing his w

sy for you, Marina. But I want you to know that I wil

rge of unexpected comf

ine smile. "We'll make th

ing a household as grand as Aiden's. The staff were polite and efficient, but she sensed their curiosity about

but he gave sufficient time to oversee that Marina is comfortable. Their communication was low-key, yet at many times, was almost warm, but unde

iden. He got up, increased his gravitas as he answered the call. Marina attempte

on... No, I'll handle it... Ma

t, his demeanor composed but tense. Marina c

int of weariness. "Just some business ma

lex man, and she was beginning to see glimpses of the burdens he

of their arrangement. Marina found solace in the gardens, where she would spend hours tending to the flow

d footsteps behind her. She turned to see Aiden appr

Marina repl

e her, watching as she worked. "You

dmother taught me. Gardening was

sadness in his eyes. "I

his words. "Everyone has their burdens, Ai

he walls he had built around himself

ways. They mingled at functions and parties, giving the appearance of an intact couple, thereby ensuring that any rumors that

en but she would not show it because she is unsure if the feeling from him is mutual. For his part, Aiden was always an element

attire and posture was that of a refined society princess, yet the eyes, the eyes told a story of a tortured soul.

g, Marina," he sa

aid and then she s

d of life you would have wanted to live." And I know I haven't made it any easier. But I wa

ped a beat. "What d

ut what I meant is that I respect you, Marina; I respect your strength, yo

he hastily wiped away, her heart warmed

leaving, Aiden held her hand and gently squeezed it before walking her to the car. As they drove through the city, Marina

Marina were good at navigating around the crowd, their friendly smiles didn't show any strain of their relationship. They were the

the party into the wee hours of the night. She saw a woman she had met several times bef

hook my hand, 'You must be Mrs. Wellingto

hand. "Yes, I'm Marina. I

with interest. "Tell me, h

reveal the truth of their contract marriage. "We met through m

d. "Well, you make a lovely couple.

said finally, feelin

back to her side, and his face

ck to the mansion in heavy silence. Once ins

said earlier...

es softening. "Yes, Mari

ybe... maybe we can make this work. Not j

ing her cheek. "I would like that,

ntract, but by vision of things to come, which are not sewn by any piece of paper. So, as