Celestia tapped her finger rhythmically against the table, her gaze fixed on Lucian, who sat silently across from her. The tension in the air was palpable, and her patience, though vast, was beginning to wear thin.
"So," she began, her voice deceptively calm, though the undertone of menace was unmistakable. "Are you going to give me a date for our marriage, or should I take matters into my own hands?"
Lucian stiffened in his seat. He avoided her eyes, glancing anywhere but directly at her piercing gaze. "Hey, I really can't do this right now. Please, try to understand," he said, his tone weary and filled with a quiet sadness.
He exhaled deeply before continuing, choosing his words carefully. "We should take things slow... get to know each other first. If it works out, that's great. If it doesn't, we won't waste each other's time or feelings. It's better to save ourselves the pain that comes with taking a risk like this loving someone without truly knowing them."
