It's a power play. Subtle but unmistakable. He's offering her an alternative. A way out if she needs it.
I want to put a bullet between his eyes.
But I can't. The Marinis are our oldest allies.
"That's very kind," Sera says carefully. "But I have everything I need."
Good girl.
"Of course." Antonio inclines his head. "Enjoy your evening."
They move on, and I make a mental note. The Marinis are testing boundaries, seeing if my new wife is vulnerable. Exploitable.
She's not. And I didn't even need to prep her.
We take our seats for dinner. I watch Sera push food around her plate, barely eating.
"You need to eat," I murmur.
"I'm not hungry."
"You're pregnant. You need to eat."
"I'm tired." Her voice is tight. "This whole thing is exhausting."
I lean closer, my lips brushing her ear. "A few more hours. Then I'm taking you home."
"Home," she repeats hollowly. "Right."
Something in her tone makes me pause. But before I can press, glasses begin to chime around the room. I turn to Sera, cupping her face, and kiss her. She kisses me back, but I notice her enthusiasm is fading.
The music starts after dinner. I take Sera's hand and lead her to the floor for the first dance. The orchestra plays something slow and classical. Elegant.
She's stiff in my arms. Moving mechanically. Like a doll.
"Relax," I tell her.
"I'm relaxed."
"You're rigid as a board."
"Can you blame me?" She looks up at me finally. Really looks at me. "I just married a man I barely know. In front of a thousand strangers who are all judging me as either a victim, a threat, or a whore."
Her words make anger flash through me.
"You're my wife. The mother of the future Nero heir. The opinions of lesser people don't matter."
She rolls her eyes, but I'm glad to see her spark return.
"I know this isn't what you wanted," I say quietly, for her ears only. "But it's what we have now. You can fight it, or you can accept it and make the best of it."
"Because you've given me a charity to play with?"
I stiffen. "Because I'm providing for you. Protecting you." My hand presses against the small of her back. "You're a Nero now, Seraphina. That means something."
"That's not marriage. That's ownership."
"It's both." I don't let her pull away. "And you knew that when you put on the ring."
