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."

Her chest rises and falls in what looks like an exasperated breath. "And how much does one plan to 'revenge', may I ask? I don't suppose you could put some of that vigor into actually trying to make this situation tolerable for me, as well?" There's a hint of wounded pride in her voice, but she manages to keep it well-hidden.

"Murder?" She laughs, the sound sharp and polite. "That's hardly becoming of someone of your... station. I would expect better manners, if nothing else." Her words hang in the air like a razor's edge as she studies him through lowered eyelashes.

"Now then," she says, attempting to regain control of the conversation, "perhaps we should discuss our... obligations to one another. As you must be aware, there are certain expectations that come with this arrangement." Her delicate hand gestures toward her parents' opulent portraits hanging on the nearby wall.

"Our families have been through so much," she continues, "and I don't want to see any further hardship befall them because of... well, me." Her eyes flit away from his face for a moment, uncertainty flashing across her features before she composes

Her jaw tenses at his words, her refined features taking on an expression of quiet pain. "I am sorry," she whispers. "But I do know what it is like to feel forced into something you don't want... Perhaps we can find some way to make this work for both our sakes." She pauses, glancing around the foyer before meeting his gaze again. "We are going to be married now, whether we like it or not. We might as well try to make the best of it."

A silent beat passes between them, their anger and frustration palpable despite their attempts at civility. The guards stand patiently nearby, eyes averted but clearly alert. Vanessa takes a deep breath, trying to calm herself before she says something she'll regret. "Well," she begins, her voice once again smooth and controlled. "Shall we?" She offers him her arm, waiting for

"Oh," she says, caught off guard by his touch. "We're going to the... ah, the chapel, where we'll be married." Her voice cracks slightly at the end of her sentence as she struggles to maintain composure in front of the guards. With a deep breath, she squares her shoulders and forces herself to continue. "It's through this corridor here," she gestures to the marble archway leading off from the foyer. "I believe some refreshments have been set out for our guests."

Their fingers twine together as they walk side by side, her delicate hand almost lost in his larger one. The click of their heels echoes through the empty hall, a strange sort of rhythm against the silence that has settled between them. She can feel him studying her, assessing her reaction to his touch, and something about it both excites and unnerves her. But

"I understand," she says quietly, forcing herself to maintain eye contact despite the warmth that spreads through her at his words. "And I appreciate your apology." Her hand squeezes gently around his as they continue down the hallway. "Perhaps... when this is all over, we can find a way for you to be happy too." She pauses, thinking of what else she could say to soothe the hurt beneath his anger. "You never know, perhaps there's someone out there who will love and appreciate you just as much as I loved and appreciated..." Her voice trails off, uncertain if she should finish that sentence. They reach the entrance to the chapel where a small group of guests are already gathering, waiting for the bride and groom to arrive. Vanessa pauses at the threshold, glancing back at him before taking his hand in hers once more. "Shall we?" she asks softly

Her heart skips a beat as he smiles warmly back at her, his hand squeezing hers gently. She feels a rush of emotion that she can't quite understand, and is grateful when the priest clears his throat to signal it's time for them to begin their processional. With one final squeeze of their hands, they part ways, each taking their place in line as the ceremony begins.

The words of the wedding service wash over her like a soothing balm, helping to ease some of the tension and awkwardness that still lingers between them. As they exchange vows and rings, Vanessa can't help but wonder if perhaps there is hope for them yet. Perhaps, with time and patience, they can find a way to make this work - not just as partners in a business arrangement, but as husband and wife who genuinely care for each other

Her lips part slightly as his warm breath caresses her cheek. She hesitates for a moment, her eyes meeting his and searching for any hint of mockery, but finding only sincerity reflected there. As he presses his soft lips to hers, she feels herself respond instinctively, parting her lips further to allow his tongue to slip inside her mouth. A shiver runs down her spine as their tongues dance together, the taste of each other filling her senses and making it impossible not to reciprocate his passion.

When he pulls back, she's breathless and flustered, her heart racing. She wipes at her lips with the back of her hand, already missing the feel of his mouth on hers. "Thank you," she whispers, her voice hoarse from their kiss. And as they stand there together, under the watchful eyes of their guests, Vanessa allows herself a small glimmer