A wife?

The dimly lit room was chilled to the bone, the cold air palpable as the wind outside howled like a chorus of restless spirits.

Amidst this eerie atmosphere, a man sat transfixed, his gaze glued to the glowing screen of his laptop. His long, white hair cascaded down his back like a river of moonlight, its gentle sway the only hint of movement in the otherwise still space.

A black mask covered his face, its edges sharp and defined, a striking contrast to the ethereal beauty of his hair.

His father, seated across from him, coughed loudly, attempting to break the spell that held his son entranced. But the young man didn't flinch, his focus solely on the digital realm before him.

The room itself was a testament to the man's reclusive nature. Shelves lined the walls, stacked high with dusty tomes and expensive looking piece that seemed to hold great value and worth of their own.

The air was heavy with the scent of old parchment and forgotten knowledge. A single dimly lit chandelier that cast eerie shadows on the walls, casting an otherworldly glow over the space.

As the wind outside whipped through the trees, the man's hair danced in the draft, its gentle rustling the only sound in the otherwise oppressive silence.

He loved the position of his study that way.

His father's cough hung in the air, a stark reminder of the world beyond the laptop screen, but the young man remained lost in his digital reverie, pretending to be oblivious to the intrusion.

" Son... " Fredrick called with a slightly cold tone. He long dropped his act of being healthy and strong. He looked so pale and sick. The clothes he has on was plain and he had a worried expression on his face.

He coughed up a little blood, finally gaining the attention of his son. A smile a settled on his lips. Damian turned on all the lights in the room and a slight frown was etched on his face. " What're you doing here?" He asked coldly, but his father only chuckled.

" Damian, don't you think it's time to drop the act now?'' Saying this, he took his seat opposite Damian who had a look of unintrest in his eyes.

" What are you talking about?" He asked coldly like he wanted him to leave immediately.

" I know you had someone monitor me on during the past few days. You're worried about my health? " He chuckled softly and gazed at his son ever so lovingly. " You just happened to inherit her eyes... " He smiled as he reminisced his wife's image in his head.

" You're just as stubborn as her, if not more. " He continued.

" Get out of my office, you're distracting me. " Damian replied coldly, but this time, his father didn't flinch. " You've discovered yourself the reasons why I want you to get married before I... " He paused unable to complete his sentence. The words were so heavy to actually say out loud, and it scares him to the core.

" Just because I hired someone to spy on you doesn't mark anything important. I know you're sick and you'll die soon, period. " He replied in a dragged and dead tone. His eyes were hooded and as he spoke.

" I'll die soon... " Fredrick repeated with a slightly disappointed tone. " The only family you'll have left is going to be your new wife and the kids you're... You're going to have. As you're aware, there are scavengers in this family of ours. There's nothing they haven't done to ruined your image. "

Damian tapped his index finger on the table a little impatiently. " Get straight to the point. "

" I need you to please love your wife no matter what. Everyone already sees you as a monster and a deceitful and diabolic person. I've vetted her already, and she's absolutely fine. " Frederick replied and coughed up a little blood. He brought out the pills he had in his pockets and swallowed took two.

Damien watched him with his head tilted to the side. " Just because you're going to die, you want me to suddenly start loving a random woman? " He tapped his index finger against the top of his desk impatiently.

" You can do as you please to be honest. I'm not scared about the fact that you might hurt her. " Fredrick replied, and coughed a little. " You will have to make sure she's safe from the others, and by 'others' you know what I mean. " He paused for a moment and took in a huge breath.

Damian looked at him for a moment before he tilted his head to the side a little. " Don't force me to make you leave, old man. "

Fredrick's eyes gazed at his son, Damian, with a mix of concern and resignation. A deep sigh escaped his lips, carrying with it the weight of his worries. He had always wanted the best for Damian, but as he looked at his son's detached expression, he couldn't help but feel a sense of unease.

Damian's lack of interest in the conversation was obvious, his gaze fixed on the laptop screen in front of him. Fredrick's eyes narrowed slightly as he studied his son's features, and piercing eyes that seemed to bore into the digital realm once more. " you can leave now that I'm being lenient with you. "

Fredrick's mind wandered back to his own wife, Damian's mother, who had shared similar qualities with Lady. Her sharp wit and observant nature had been assets in their family's social circle, but also a source of trouble at times. He recalled the countless times she had spoken her mind, unafraid to challenge the status quo... Or maybe she was just over curious and naive...

As he looked at Damian, Fredrick saw a glimmer of that same spirit in his son's eyes. He knew that if Lady were to marry into their family, she would face similar challenges. The thought filled him with a sense of foreboding, and he couldn't help but wonder if he was doing the right thing by allowing this union to proceed... After all it was for his son's happiness, right?

Damian's uninterested gaze returned on the screen, oblivious to the turmoil brewing within his father. Fredrick's sigh hung in the air, a poignant reminder of the complexities that lay ahead. " Fine, I'll take my leave, but just so you know the engagement will be taking place the day after tomorrow, please don't disappoint and actually attend... " He got up to leave when he heard Damian's voice.

" Don't put yourself under a lot of pressure, or you'll die faster. You look pale and weak already. It's not like I actually care, but your physical appearance is irritating. " Damian's voice came in slow and steady as he spoke. There wasn't any emotion on his face, but Fredrick smiled. " Thank you, I will." He replied with a satisfied chuckle.