After all the talking, he finally bid his goodbye. And dare I say it—I was finally able to breathe.
Kayser Ace. That was his name. His presence lingered even after he walked out of the estate's grand door, like the aftertaste of rich wine that leaves your senses reeling long after it's gone.
He had some type of aura—one that was heavy, dominant, commanding. The kind that made you straighten your back and choose your words carefully. If we were in a verse, I wouldn't be surprised if he were an alpha. He just… had that air. As if the world bent ever so slightly in his favor without him even lifting a finger.
I stood there for a moment, the silence of the hallway swallowing the soft echo of his footsteps. I didn't realize I had been holding my breath until he left. Only then did my shoulders drop, and I felt the weight of his gaze finally lift off mine.
With a weak excuse, I turned to Father and politely excused myself. "I'll be heading to my room," I said, and he only nodded with a knowing smile I couldn't quite decipher.
Once inside, I let the door click shut behind me before collapsing onto the bed with a soft thud. My heart was still pounding. I buried my face into a pillow and screamed into it—quietly, of course. A lady never shouts. But in that moment, I was no lady.
"What the hell," I muttered.
One thing I couldn't deny was how devilishly handsome he was. My cheeks flushed at the thought, and I cursed myself under my breath. The way his hair fell across his forehead, those piercing eyes, the shape of his lips—ugh. And to think our age gap was only three years. Just three years, and yet he carried himself like he had already lived a lifetime.
"Kayser Ace…" I whispered into the darkness of my room, my voice barely audible.
What kind of man are you really?
—
The next morning came like a slap to the face.
"Miss Ruby!"
I stirred in bed, confused and disoriented as one of the maids stormed into the room.
"Miss Ruby, you need to wake up!" she urged, practically dragging the curtains apart. "You have to prepare for the wedding!"
The wedding.
My eyes shot open. Reality came crashing down like a tidal wave, dragging my sleepy mind into consciousness.
Today was the day.
"Oh my gosh!" I jumped out of bed, my heart racing. "I swear I'm about to poop my heart out."
I didn't even have time to be embarrassed about what I just said.
The maids rushed to my side, hands everywhere—pulling my hair, measuring my waist, brushing blush onto my cheeks. My once quiet room turned into a flurry of soft voices, chiffon, and perfume.
Everything was happening so fast.
Despite the chaos, my mind kept circling back to Kayser. Was he thinking about this wedding too? Was he nervous? Did he want this? Or was he just doing it out of duty—like me?
As I sat still in front of the vanity, I watched my reflection take shape, transforming from an ordinary girl to someone who almost looked royal. The silk gown shimmered in the morning light. The pearls on my neck felt heavy with meaning. My hair had been done up in an elegant bun, with a few curls cascading down to frame my face. I barely recognized myself.
And then, as if on cue, the door creaked open.
My father stepped in.
The room went quiet. The maids paused. All eyes turned to the man who now stood there with tears welling in his eyes.
"My dear daughter," he whispered, his voice trembling as he walked closer, "is getting married."
He let out a soft chuckle, more of a banter than a joke. But I could see it in his eyes—the disbelief, the pride, the sadness. All mixed into one complex expression that no words could fully describe.
"How fast time flies," he added, touching the edge of my sleeve. "You were just a little girl, running around barefoot in the garden."
I smiled at the memory. "And you were the one always scolding me for it."
"And look at you now," he said, his voice cracking. "Beautiful, grown, and about to walk down that aisle."
We stayed like that for a moment, father and daughter in silence. No words were needed. The air between us spoke volumes.
After a deep breath, he offered me his arm.
"Shall we?"
I nodded, unable to find my voice.
As we walked through the estate halls, each step echoed with finality. The walls seemed to watch us, the portraits of ancestors silently witnessing the moment.
The doors to the grand ballroom opened.
And there it was—the aisle.
It stretched far and long, adorned with roses and soft white lights. Guests turned their heads as music played softly in the background. The atmosphere was dreamy, yet my hands were clammy with nerves.
But then… I saw him.
Kayser Ace.
Standing at the altar.
Waiting.
He looked different in a suit. More elegant. More unreachable. The light hit his face just right, and for a moment, I forgot how to breathe again.
Was he nervous? He didn't show it. His posture was perfect, his gaze fixed, calm, unreadable.
As I walked toward him, my heart thumped louder than the orchestra. Every step closer felt like a step away from everything I'd ever known. From freedom. From childhood. From myself.
And yet, I kept walking.
Because maybe, just maybe… this wouldn't be the end of everything.
Maybe this was just the beginning.
When we reached the end of the aisle, my father placed my hand into Kayser's. His warmth seeped into my skin, grounding me. I looked up into his eyes—those deep, unreadable eyes—and for a second, they softened.
"You look beautiful," he whispered.
My heart skipped a beat.
And suddenly, I wasn't as scared.