Happiness Is A Luxury

Naida's gaze momentarily turned distant, reflecting a hidden depth of emotion, before she returned to Asher with a smile, "Happiness is a luxury for people like us," she began, her voice tinged with a certain resignation, "We may have power and wealth, but even then, happiness is far out of our reach, or so I thought until we found each other."

Asher's expression betrayed his confusion, leading him to wonder about the nature of her relationship with Vernon. 

Noticing the look in his eyes, Naida sighed and sought to clarify, "Vernon isn't cruel to me, but he is a constant reminder of why I am unhappy. I've always strived to maintain the image of a good wife for the sake of my House and for my children. Our marriage is more a matter of convenience and duty than anything else for both him and me."