ㅤ꒰꒰ㅤ Nishimura Ri-kiㅤ꩜ ³

The grand dining room felt stifling, filled with the polite chatter of your families, their eagerness to finalize the arrangement overshadowing the awkward tension between you and him. You sat beside him, close enough to feel the chill he radiated, even though he hadn't said a word to you all evening.

He continued staring straight ahead, his jaw clenched, barely acknowledging your presence. You've heard rumors of his bitterness over this arrangement, how he'd been forced to end things with Iseul, his now ex-boyfriend, how he'd fought against this marriage.

After an unbearable silence, he finally turned his head slightly, his voice low and emotionless.

— "Don't expect this to mean anything. I would never marry you willingly."

Ouch