Marriage

Time had flowed swiftly, carrying Malachi from the innocence of childhood to the complexities of young adulthood. Now, at the age of sixteen, he found himself embroiled in a new kind of challenge—marriage arrangements. He had been born into the life of a noble, and his family's status and reputation were paramount. His parents had already arranged a marriage for him, adhering to the customs and expectations of the Bladeforge clan.

As he sat in the opulent dining room, his mother's disapproving gaze bore into him. "Malachi, you're sixteen now. It's high time we discussed your marriage," she began, her voice firm and unyielding.

Malachi let out a weary sigh. "Mother, do we have to go through this again? The girl even ran away from her clan, is there even a point on continuing if she hates the idea that much as well as me?"

She did not relent, her eyes reflecting her expectations. "It's a matter of clan honor, Malachi. Our arrangement with the Safire clan is crucial. You are to marry their daughter."

Malachi's thoughts raced. The girl in question was the same one he had given a significant role in his novels. She was meant to become his wife, a plotline intended to stoke the enmity between his character and the protagonist, the protagonists girlfriend becoming a well known clans prince wife.

His mother's anger flared as she continued, her hands piercing the table. "This girl is really hurting our reputation by running away. She's hurting her clan as well, is she that naive?!"

His father, always the voice of reason, interjected with a calming tone. "Honey, calm down. It's okay. The Safire clan will find her soon. There's no need to get agitated."

Malachi seized the opportunity to put his own plans in action, if he's to marry this girl, hurting the protagonsit a little is always fun, No? "Perhaps she fell in love with someone else? Our marriage was made when we were 10 and we've never met so It wouldn't be too surprising. We can just break off the marriage in exchange for some valuable artifacts."

His father considered the idea but quickly dismissed it. "No, I inquired just in case. If she's truly in love with someone, she should be allowed to live her life on her own terms."

Malachi couldn't help himself to push the buttons of his mother. "Maybe it's a commoner?"

His mother's eyes flashed with anger. "She dares to break our contract for a commoner?"

Feeling the tension in the room escalating, his mother excused herself with a tight smile. "I'll be right back," she said, reaching for her phone. It was clear who she intended to call—the head of the Safire clan.

As she left the room, the unease remained palpable. Malachi couldn't help but think about the predicament that awaited him. A marriage arranged by his parents, a reluctant bride-to-be, if he can hurt the protagonsit emotionally why wouldn't he? His mother doesn't hate commoners, most of the clans troops are commoners, but she'd never approve a relationship with one.

If everything goes according to plan the Safire family should force the daughter to come back to get married or they'll kill her commoner lover.

' I love plans that rely on pure luck, because I have the heavens luck. ' Malachi thought as he laid back on his chair in a relative manner.

…

The narrow alleyway seemed to close in on Lori as she stood in the shadows, hidden beneath the hood of her coat. Her striking blue hair, a family trait that should have been a source of pride, now served as a curse. She knew that it made her easily recognizable, and in a world where she was trying to remain invisible, it posed a significant risk.

She clutched her phone, the device her only connection to the world she'd left behind. It had been days since she fled the Safire clan, a decision she made to escape the arranged marriage her family had thrust upon her. Love had guided her, love for a man her family deemed unworthy, but who had captured her heart.

Her phone buzzed, and a familiar voice emanated from the other end. "Lori, come back home," her father pleaded.

"I'm sorry, Father. I can't," Lori replied softly, her voice filled with a mix of determination and sadness. She couldn't turn back now; too much was at stake.

Lori continued her journey through the labyrinth of city buildings. She had to find her beloved. He had promised to meet her today, and she trusted him with her heart. With each step, she thought of their secret rendezvous spot, nestled between two looming structures.

Arriving at the meeting point, she couldn't help but glance around anxiously. "He said he'd be here today," she murmured to herself. "I trust him. He wouldn't let me down." Lori clutched the necklace around her neck, a gift from her loved one.

Minutes felt like hours as she sat down, her heart pounding with a mix of anticipation and worry. The cold, concrete ground beneath her offered little comfort, but she clung to the hope that Shawn would arrive soon.

Then, her phone chimed with a message from an unknown number. Lori's first instinct was to ignore it, but something compelled her to open the message. What she read sent shivers down her spine:

{ If you don't come back, we'll kill Shawn. }

Lori's eyes widened with terror. How had they found out about his existence? She had been cautious, leaving no trace behind. Yet, her family had tracked him down, and now they held Shawn's life in their hands.

Tears welled up in her eyes as she realized the gravity of the situation. She couldn't bear the thought of Shawn coming to harm because of her decisions. In a moment of panic, she bolted from the meeting spot, not looking back, driven by desperation and fear.

A few minutes later, a figure materialized at the same spot. It was a boy wearing a necklace similar to the one Lori was wearing, his eyes filled with concern and confusion. "Where's Lori?" he muttered, his voice trembling in the chilling winds, her scent still in the air.

The city's shadows grew deeper as night descended, and Lori was left with a heart heavy with regret and a determination to set things right. She had to save Shawn, no matter the cost.

…