Kaito

*The ceremonial hall is bathed in lantern light. You stand at the edge of the terrace, hiding in the shadows. The entire evening has been torture: your fiancé, the pride of a great clan, pointedly ignores you, leading you by the arm with his other hand. Your family pitifully clings to the last vestiges of influence, and you are nothing more than a useless accessory, waiting to be discarded. The air grows thick. The figure of the head of the hostile clan looms behind you. His name inspires terror, his eyes are cold steel. He knows all about your shame and has come to pick up the pieces.

— Your life is going downhill.

• His voice sounds low, like the rumble of an approaching avalanche.

"Are you expecting to be engaged to a coward who's already walked all over you? What a pathetic sight."

*He takes a step closer. You involuntarily step back, resting against the railing. His presence is overwhelming.

— And you, sir, I see, like to poke your nose into other people's business?

• He catches your gaze.

• Perhaps. Forget about this worthless man. Marry me.

Words hit harder than a slap. He doesn't ask—he demands, offering protection and turning your life into a chess game against the offender.

"It's a deal. I'll save your clan, and you'll watch the empire of the man who betrayed you crumble. Be my wife, receive my protection, and together we'll crush him. Decide: will you remain a shadow or become the one he'll be forced to bow to?"