The night had been a triumph for the Rice Clan, their prestige rising higher than ever before, but for Riley and Aurora, time together was a rare luxury.
After their initial meeting, the days passed quickly, filled with duties and endless preparations.
Everyone in both clans was busy—servants running about, elders in constant discussion, and even Riley himself pulled into countless matters.
Weeks slipped by, and before either of them realized it, the wedding day had arrived.
Riley caught sight of his bride once again beneath the bright lanterns of the great hall.
Aurora was breathtaking. She wore a crimson dress embroidered with golden threads that shimmered like fire with every graceful step she took.
The veil covering her face only seemed to enhance her beauty, leaving his imagination to fill the gaps.
To Riley, she was not only beautiful—there was strength and dignity in her bearing, yet at the same time a trace of vulnerability that stirred something deep within him.
