Episode 3: The registration and photo

Meanwhile, downstairs, Aunty Carter opened the door to welcome the court official, Mr. Edgar Pemberton.

He was a man who carried the quiet confidence of a senior court official—someone who had spent decades navigating the highest circles of Veridian City's legal system. Edgar Pemberton was fifty-nine years old. His silver hair was neatly trimmed, his jaw clean-shaven. He wore a charcoal grey suit of excellent quality—respectful, not ostentatious. His pale blue eyes looked calm. Too calm for someone about to face a storm like this couple. But he also knew better than to show nervousness in the presence of Damon Cipher, a man with low tolerance for incompetence.

He carried a leather briefcase, high quality and well maintained.

Aunty Carter greeted him politely. "Good day, sir. Thank you very much for gracing us with your presence, and sorry for the trouble."

Mr. Edgar, knowing better than to show arrogance and seeing her respectful but polite greeting, immediately replied as she showed him the way in. "Good afternoon, ma. It's my honour. No troubles at all."

Hayden was already waiting for him in the living room. On seeing the impeccably dressed elderly man, Hayden couldn't help but think back to the chaotic couple, and he really felt sympathy for this man who didn't know what he was going to face. But Hayden sure wasn't going to tell him that.

He walked up to Mr. Edgar, greeted him respectfully, and led him up the spiral staircase. "Good day, sir. Nice to meet you. I'm sure you've been informed that the marriage was in a hurry, so we couldn't complete all the paperwork at the court. Boss believes you have all the necessary documents with you." He said this while staring at the leather suitcase in Mr. Edgar's hands.

Edgar, unfazed by Hayden's composure and polite but commanding presence, answered, "Rest assured, I was already informed to bring the necessary documents. There shouldn't be any issues."

Hayden nodded, thinking to himself: *I don't doubt your competence. It's just that there might be issues—not with the documents, but with the couple in question. But that's for later.*

They arrived at the study soon after. Hayden opened the door, gesturing for Mr. Edgar to step in. He did. Hayden followed and closed the door behind him.

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THE STUDY

As soon as they both stepped into the study, they were met with the sight of Damon still inside, his face serious and impeccably handsome, with so much composure it seemed nothing could faze or shake him.

Mr. Edgar had heard a lot about Damon Cipher, and to be honest, this was the first time seeing his face. Although Damon was the heir to a very prestigious and powerful family and also one of the greatest business moguls, no one had ever seen his face up close. Even those who had seen it were few and could hardly identify him in a crowd. This was because of his low-key personality. Damon didn't like publicity, appearing in newspapers, or having his picture taken without his permission. Even his employees hardly knew what he looked like. That was how bad it was.

Edgar didn't dwell on that thought for long before Hayden walked over and, with Damon's permission, brought out a chair for Edgar to sit in front of Damon.

Damon finally spared Mr. Edgar a glance after signing the last paper in front of him and indicating for Hayden to clear the desk.

Mr. Edgar was the first to greet him. "Good day, Mr. Cipher." He thought to himself, wiping invisible sweat: *I have only heard of this man's aura, and this is my first time witnessing it myself. I must say, it's really too strong for a man as young as him.* His eyes were too terrifying. Too deep, like a bottomless hole. Like they could see through a person's soul with one glance. And maybe they could.

Damon replied with a nod and a curt, "Sorry for the trouble."

That shocked Edgar, but he replied immediately without missing a beat. "It's no trouble at all. It's my duty to begin with."

Damon just nodded, indicating for him to start with the documentation.

Mr. Edgar was still busy arranging the paperwork when he heard a knock on the study door. Damon indicated for Hayden, who immediately went forward to open it, knowing it was Mira.

Opening the door, he was met with Mira. Supposedly wearing "something better." Nothing different. Nothing spontaneous. Same disastrous makeup and a different white dress. But the type that made her look like a nun. Or a lifeless ghost.

He thought to himself: *Is this her understanding of "change to something better"? Did the maids not arrange the clothes boss instructed them to arrange in the closet? The ones released just recently?*

Hayden didn't dare say this out loud or keep Mira waiting. He immediately stepped aside, giving her a chance to step into the room.

Mr. Edgar Pemberton was already staring expectantly at the door, wanting to see the woman lucky enough—and also gutsy enough—to marry Damon Cipher. He never really thought Damon would get married. Rumor had it he was gay because he didn't let women close or touch him and was only seen with men, especially his best friends—all men.

He caught sight of her from the door.

A girl, tall and straight like a pine tree, with long legs probably not visible due to the long dress she was wearing. She stood with a natural, effortless grace that made her seem taller. Her long black hair fell in thick locks past her shoulders, almost to her waist.

But her face told a different story. She looked too young. Even with the disaster of makeup she had applied, she could be mistaken for an underage girl. But what shocked him the most was her makeup. It was really... hmm. Well, something out of the ordinary. She was a strange contradiction to this perfectly organized man.

Damon, seeing Mr. Edgar evaluating his new wife like a courtroom exhibit, was forced to clear his throat while also shooting a glare at Mira. She completely ignored him like he wasn't there.

Damon looked at her again, and that's when he realized that she actually changed. Yes, she did. But there was certainly nothing special about it. In fact, he didn't know where she got this dress, but she could definitely be mistaken for a widow rather than a new bride. He was sure going to deal with her on this later.

Mr. Edgar, seeing the annoyance on Damon's face, knew he had lost his composure a little and quickly returned to what he was doing.

Mira walked over, and Hayden helped her pull a chair just beside Damon, already arranged for her to sit.

Immediately she sat down, she faced this elderly man who still looked too organized and composed after seeing her. She greeted him meekly, like a little deer. "Hello, sir."

Edgar confirmed his doubt: she was sure still a minor, thanks to her meek little voice. Unknown to him, Mira was a cunning little fox, not a deer, and she was definitely not a minor. After all, she was eighteen already. But nobody was going to tell him that. Nobody actually knew what was going on in his grey hair.

He replied immediately. "Hello. You must be Mrs. Cipher. Nice to meet you."

Mira smiled back. That smile that could definitely cause a heart attack. But Mr. Edgar still had a lot in store for him with these two being the reason behind it.

He finished arranging the documents before passing them over to Damon and Mira, asking them to check for any errors and anything they were not satisfied with. They actually cooperated, going through the documents and finding no errors. They signed with the pen handed to them by Hayden, then directly returned the papers to Mr. Edgar, who kept them cleanly in a folder from his suitcase, arranging everything back to order before facing them again.

He spoke. "I'll like both of you to please get ready for the photograph."

Damon: "Is it necessary?"

Mr. Edgar: "Yes, it is, Mr. Cipher. This is the only procedure left to complete before you can be announced husband and wife by the court."

Damon: "Just hurry up."

Mr. Edgar: "Yes, Mr. Cipher."

Mr. Edgar stood up and brought out a little camera from the side pocket of his suitcase, which surprised Mira, leading her to ask, "Do all lawyers and court officials also do photography now?"

Mr. Edgar replied while fixing the lenses. "No, Mrs. Cipher. It's just that I have some experience with photography. Also, I was informed that Mr. Cipher doesn't like it when people come to his house, which is one of the reasons I was sent here—so I wouldn't have to bring a photographer along."

Mira nodded her head innocently. "Ohhh, I see."

Then Mr. Edgar looked at both of them again before speaking. "The photo would be nothing elaborate. Just the two of you together, facing the camera, with smiles." He said the last words while glancing at Damon, wondering if this ice block would really smile for the photo.

Damon looked like he would rather swallow the camera than stand next to Mira for the picture. Mira, on the other hand, brightened like a child told she could have dessert before dinner.

"A photoshoot? And both of us?" She clasped her hands together. "How lovely. I've never had a photoshoot with anyone, except for that one time Laura made me stand behind everyone in the family portrait so no one would see me."

Hayden coughed. He wished he could evaporate. Just a wish, okay.

Damon pinched the bridge of his nose, shooting her an annoyed glare before facing Mr. Edgar. "Fine. Make it quick."

Mr. Edgar nodded eagerly, grateful for Damon's reply. "Right, yes. If you could just stand closer together... hmm, well, I mean side by side."

Mira immediately scooted closer. Damon shot her another warning glare, but she turned a blind eye.

Mr. Edgar's voice rang out again. "Side by side, Mr. Cipher. Maybe you could move a little closer to your wife." He said this while wiping invisible sweat from his forehead with his face towel, already regretting all the life decisions that had brought him to this exact moment.

Damon stared at Mr. Edgar but didn't move any closer.

"Mr. Cipher, maybe a small smile," said Mr. Edgar, who was now shivering like it was snow falling in the study room.

Damon stared at him. Really looked. And Mr. Edgar's soul left his body.

"Right. No smile. Got it. Noted."

Meanwhile, Mira had already positioned herself right in front of Damon. Even with his eyes that looked like they could kill her at any moment, she tilted her head, placed one hand on her hip, and gave the camera her most dramatic pout.

"How is this?" she asked, ignoring Damon's frustrated glare.

Mr. Edgar hesitated. "Madam, perhaps if you stood beside Mr. Cipher—"

"But I'm the bride. I should be the center of attention."

Damon's voice, flat and cold, came from behind her. "You're already grabbing attention with that ridiculous makeup of yours, clown. Move aside."

Mira sighed dramatically, murmuring, "I'm not a clown, I'm a beauty," before stepping to the side. She positioned herself next to him but, instead of standing beside him, she leaned against his arm like a withered flower.

Damon wanted to push her aside. He couldn't. Not because he didn't have the strength, but because he was enduring her. And also because she smelled really nice. Soothing. Not like those heavy perfumes that seemed to intrude on one's senses. She smelled like citrus—lemon—then lilies with a bit of lavender. A scent unique to her.

*Probably her washing soap,* he thought.

Her voice woke him from his strange trance. "Is this better, honey?" she said so sweetly and sultry that even Mr. Edgar couldn't help but shiver.

Damon's jaw tightened. "Don't call me honey."

"Sweetheart?"

"No."

"Snuggle bear?"

Damon finally turned his head to look at her. His eyes promised death. Mira blinked up at him with false innocence.

"Clown," he muttered.

"Stone face ice grid," she replied sweetly.

Damon wanted to snap her neck in half.

Mr. Edgar, caught between terror and confusion, raised his camera. "If I could just get you both to look this way... yes... perfect... hold that expression."

Damon looked like he had swallowed a volcano. Mira looked all sweet and mischievous, like a devilish clown. Her head was tilted, her smile too wide.

Just before Mr. Edgar clicked the shot, she sneakily hooked her hand around Damon's arm.

*Click.*

The shot was taken. Mr. Edgar gave her a thumbs up, which earned him a death glare from Damon.

Damon looked down at her tiny hands hooked around his arm. Then slowly looked at her. Then at Mr. Edgar.

Mira's voice rang out. "Come on, darling. At least pretend you don't hate me for the camera. A wedding photo should feel warm."

"I don't pretend," hissed Damon, grinding the words out from between his teeth.

"That's what makes it fun," replied Mira, smiling smugly.

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