chapter 4

Neo pov:-

“Do you love someone else?”

I blinked. “What?”

He stepped closer. “If you do, tell me now. I’ll help you run away. You’d live a better life far from this… madness.”

His tone was serious—too serious. And for the first time, I saw something flicker in his eyes—fear.

“Kai, what do you mean?” I asked, confused, my heartbeat rising.

He exhaled shakily, then took my hands into his. His grip was firm, protective—like an older brother’s who’s finally showing what he’s been hiding for years.

“Neo,” he said quietly but intensely. “There’s something you don’t know about our family… or the Rittavath. About the pact.”

My breath hitched.

“There are truths buried so deep they’d burn this entire empire if they came out. I can’t tell you now. But when the time comes, I will.”

His voice trembled for the first time, the coldness in his tone breaking like glass.

I could only nod, words lost in the weight of his gaze.

He squeezed my hands tighter. “And Neo… don’t tell anyone about this. Not your husband. Not Dad. Not anyone. Everyone here—every single one of them—is wearing a mask.”

His eyes glistened, mirroring mine.

“Promise me,” he whispered. “Promise me you’ll stay alert and safe.”

I swallowed hard and nodded again.

Because deep down, I knew this wasn’t just a warning.

It was a beginning—of something dangerous, hidden, and life-changing.

...****************...

I stood on the stage, dressed in an immaculate white suit — a suit that screamed groom, but inside, I felt anything but ready to be one. My palms were slightly sweaty despite the chill of the air conditioner humming softly in the grand hall. The scent of fresh lilies and roses mixed with the faint burn of expensive candles filled the air. Everything around me was breathtakingly beautiful — the glittering chandelier above, the golden ribbons draped across the ceiling, the hushed excitement of the guests — but my heart was racing like it was trapped in a marathon it never agreed to run.

The priest stood ahead of me, flipping through his notes with calm professionalism, as if this was just another ceremony. For everyone else, maybe it was. For me? It felt like the opening scene of a story I didn’t understand.

From the corner of my eye, I could see people turning, whispering, smiling.

I could hear snippets — “The wattarakul heir looks so handsome,” someone said, and another added, “This alliance will make history.”

Their voices blurred into noise. None of it mattered. My mind was spinning too fast, replaying Kai’s words from earlier — “Don’t trust anyone. Everyone here wears a mask.”

I swallowed hard, my throat dry.

Then suddenly — the entire hall fell silent.

A stillness spread through the crowd like a ripple in water. Every head turned in one direction, eyes fixed behind me. I didn’t even have to ask why — I could feel it, like the air itself had shifted.

I turned… slowly.

And that’s when I saw him.

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