“You have completed the form and your documents have been checked. Now, you just need to wait a moment for us to process,” the clerk said after thoroughly going through all the paperwork.

After a brief pause, the clerk returned with a beaming smile. “Your marriage license is ready. You can proceed with the ceremony anytime from today.”

It wasn’t until they exited the city courthouse, with the marriage certificate firmly held in Catherine’s hand, that the reality of the situation started to settle in. A team of bodyguards flanked them as they made their way to the car, their presence a shield against the prying eyes of the ever-present paparazzi. The usual hustle and bustle of the media had turned into an intimidating wave, but they managed to avoid it.

Once safely inside the car, Lucius glanced at Catherine, noticing the frown on her face. “Are you not pleased with this outcome?” he asked, his voice hinting at a mix of concern and curiosity.

Contrary to her usual composed demeanor, Catherine playfully teased, “Can I bother you a bit?”

Lucius raised an eyebrow in confusion. “Anything, you can say.”

His response gave Catherine the opportunity she’d been waiting for. “The media and journalists are still waiting for an explanation about our situation. Can you do that?” she asked, her mischievous satisfaction evident in her expression.

Lucius, caught off guard by her sudden shift in mood, laughed lightly. He gently ran his hand through her soft hair, the gesture surprisingly tender. The warmth from his touch spread through her, and despite her earlier unease, she found herself relaxing. Lowering the car window, Lucius flashed a bright, confident smile at the reporters waiting at the curb. He turned toward them and, with genuine happiness in his voice, said, “Thank you for your concern. I am proud to introduce my wife, Naomi Catherine.”

The cameras went off in a flurry of flashes as the reporters eagerly awaited more details. One of them called out, “Mr. Lucius, how do you explain the rumors that your wife intruded into Liam Claude's relationship? Is there any truth to that?”

Lucius, taken aback by the boldness of the question, was about to respond when Catherine leaned over, wrapping her arms around his neck. She placed a quick kiss on his cheek, smiling confidently at the reporters. “Who do you think we should trust more, a regular musician or a wealthy man like my husband?” she asked with a playful glint in her eyes.

The cameras captured the intimate moment, the flashbulbs blinding them for a moment. Lucius, clearly pleased with the outcome, spoke up, his voice calm yet firm: “We met and fell in love quietly. My wife was devoted to Liam Claude for many years, but he and his partner maliciously spread false information just before our wedding. What does that tell you?”

His words struck a powerful blow to the reporters' questioning, their curiosity piqued. Catherine turned to look at Lucius, her eyes full of gratitude. She felt an unexpected sense of trust towards him, knowing that, in this moment, he was shielding her from the media's prying eyes.

When they arrived back at the mansion, Catherine stepped out of the car with a relieved smile. She turned back to Lucius, her voice soft but sincere, “Thank you, I feel quite relieved.”

“Not bad. Let’s go to the study; we need to discuss the contract,” Lucius said with a quiet authority, his tone now more serious. Catherine nodded, silently following him upstairs.

In the study, the atmosphere shifted to something more formal. They sat across from each other as Lucius opened a drawer in his desk, retrieving a neatly stacked pile of papers. He handed them to Catherine, who accepted them with a growing sense of seriousness. Lucius’s every gesture conveyed a sense of certainty, as if every decision had been meticulously planned.

She opened the packet and began reading aloud, her voice steady as she spoke the first clause: “Do not pry too much into each other’s personal life.” Catherine looked up at Lucius, waiting for his reaction.

Lucius observed her closely, noting her furrowed brow as she processed the words. “This is just the beginning,” he said, his tone firm. “We need to be clear and transparent from the start to avoid unnecessary misunderstandings.”

Catherine nodded, agreeing to the first term. She continued reading the next clause: “We must be honest with each other about everything.” Her eyes lingered on the line, and she glanced up at him, slightly confused.

Lucius’s expression softened as he explained, “Your stepfather owes me a significant amount of money. He handed you over to me to settle that debt. I need a legal wife to appease my family and smoothly inherit the estate without scrutiny. In this sense, we are even, but you still have to comply with certain things, especially when it comes to public matters.”

Catherine's surprise was evident, but she quickly processed the information. As she continued reading, she found herself agreeing to most of the clauses, which outlined their professional relationship as well as their public image. The most significant clause was that they were to maintain an absolutely intimate appearance whenever they were in public, and Catherine was not allowed to refuse any public appearances or engagements related to Lucius’s status.

As she sat in the large armchair, the soft light from the desk lamp casting a cozy glow, Catherine couldn't help but raise an eyebrow. She let out a small, mischievous smile and said, “But I want to add one more thing, if that's okay?”

Lucius leaned forward, his eyes glinting with curiosity. “What is it?”

Catherine’s smile remained calm, though her voice took on a teasing note. “We live together, but separate beds. No touching me, and I won’t touch you.”

Lucius chuckled softly, his expression playful. “Oh, what about hugging and kissing?”

Before Catherine could react, Lucius moved swiftly to her side. He gently lifted her chin, causing her heart to race as she looked up at him, unable to speak. Lucius’s face inched closer to hers, and his breath brushed softly against her cheek. The intensity of the moment made everything else fade away as he leaned in and placed a tender kiss on her lips.

The kiss was short but filled with both teasing and genuine affection, leaving Catherine blinking in surprise. As he pulled away, he still held her chin, his eyes locking onto hers, making her pulse quicken.

“How about that? Is that acceptable?” Lucius asked, his voice low, laced with playful dominance.

Catherine, still reeling from the kiss, tried to maintain her composure despite her racing heart. She raised an eyebrow and gave him a small, sly smile in response. “Just this once, Lucius. Just this once.”

Lucius’s gaze softened as he took in the sight of her flushed face, her cheeks rosy from both the playful exchange and the intense kiss. Catherine, her eyes sparkling, looked up at him with a mix of amusement and curiosity. There was something undeniably magnetic about him, and in this moment, she realized she was no longer just a pawn in a game. She was becoming something more.

Lucius, still captivated by her beauty, paused before speaking. “Hello? What’s wrong? Are you feeling unwell?” He waved his hand in front of her face, his concern genuine.

Catherine blinked, snapping back to reality. “No, I’m fine,” she replied, trying to steady herself. She looked at the contract on the table. “Then sign it, Mrs. Ravenswood,” Lucius said softly, his voice both tender and commanding.

Catherine hesitated for a moment, her mind racing as she thought about the life she had just stepped into. But in that moment, she knew she had no choice. With a deep breath, she picked up the pen and signed the contract, sealing her fate.

***