ront of her, her hands trembling slightly despite her efforts to appear impassive. The document, detailed and meticulously wri

nce, broke the silence. He was sitting across from her, his piercing gaze

g on the quill. She hated the way he made her feel so small, lik

r, crossing his arms over his chest, and an almost impercepti

She had no choice. Her family had made it clear, and they knew that resistance would on

efore signing it too. "It's done," he said simply

on on his face, but there was nothing. No satisfact

sked, her tone laced

tertaining. "What were you waiting for? A ceremony?

nion was just a strategic alliance, but hearing

rise within her. "And to you, all this really h

, a shadow of emotion that she couldn't identify. "If you want a romantic relat

he room without a backward glance, leaving her al

eight of the contract, she came across a door she had not noticed before. It was different from

rised to find that the door was unlocked, and entered. The room was dark,

k. In the center of the room, a table covered with a black cloth caught his attention. She approached, gently lifting the fabric,

of the mansion. She exuded secrecy and danger. As she examined a note

and hid behind a shelf. The door opened slowly, a

her breath, praying she wouldn't be discovered. He approached the table, his

ng the door behind him. Lyana came out of her hiding place, panting

mind racing. Who really was Draven Black

ing breakfast, she de

e began, strug

journal, his expressio

stairs? The one with the

but he quickly recovered. "It

hallenging him with her gaze. "Nothing that concerns m

u are full of curiosity, Lyana . But know this: Some doors are clo

ning, but it only

nce on the razor's edge. Lyana felt that she was venturing into dang