The reception was a grand affair, as expected of two prominent noble houses. The ballroom of the Morvan estate glittered with chandeliers, and tables overflowed with delicacies from across the kingdom. Nobles laughed, danced, and schemed while servants moved between them like ghosts.
I smiled, nodded, and played my part perfectly. Every handshake and congratulation, every thinly veiled probe for information—I handled them all while keeping one eye on Valerie.
My wife sat at the head table, maintaining that same mask of cool composure. She sipped her wine delicately, responded to well-wishers with practiced grace, and gave away absolutely nothing about what she was thinking.
Duke Richard Morningstar, her father, approached our table with a goblet in hand. He was a mountain of a man, broad-shouldered and intimidating, with the same silver hair as his daughter but eyes of steel gray instead of crimson.
"Chase," he said, his voice carrying the weight of authority. "I trust you'll treat my daughter well."
This wasn't a request. It was a warning.
"Of course, Duke Morningstar. I consider this marriage a privilege, not a burden."
His eyes narrowed slightly, clearly not expecting such a straightforward answer from the notorious wastrel. "See that you remember that." He turned to Valerie. "If he gives you any trouble, you have my permission to handle it as you see fit."
I understood what he meant by that. Valerie was trained in both magic and combat—something the original Chase had dismissed as "unladylike." In the novel, she could kill a man in a dozen different ways before he even realized he was in danger.
"Thank you, Father," Valerie said softly. "But I'm certain that won't be necessary."
The way she said it made my skin crawl. Like she was already planning exactly how she would dispose of me if needed.
Duke Morningstar departed, and the reception continued. I caught glimpses of various characters from the novel—nobles who would later betray the kingdom, merchants who would fund the hero's journey, and adventurers who would become William's companions.
Speaking of William...
I spotted him near the servant's entrance, dressed in plain clothes, watching the celebration with barely contained fury. Our eyes met for just a moment, and the hatred in his gaze was palpable.
In the original story, this would've been another humiliation for him. Chase would've deliberately made sure William saw his rejection of Valerie, rubbing in the fact that he could refuse what any common person would consider a blessing. It would've been one more log on the fire of William's resentment.
But now? Now William was watching me marry the woman who would become the final boss. I couldn't tell if that made things better or worse.
I looked away first. There was no point in antagonizing him further.
---
The reception finally ended near midnight. Tradition dictated that the newlyweds would retire to the bridal chamber together, and despite my modern sensibilities screaming at me, I knew refusing would raise too many questions.
The servants had prepared my chambers, now our chambers, with rose petals and candles. It would've been romantic if I wasn't terrified.
Valerie entered behind me, and I heard the door close with a decisive click.
For a long moment, neither of us spoke. She stood near the door, still in her wedding dress, studying me with those unsettling crimson eyes.
"So," she finally said, her voice cutting through the silence like a blade. "Are you going to tell me the truth?"
I turned to face her fully, my heart pounding. This was it. The moment that would set everything in motion.
"Valerie," I said, meeting those crimson eyes without flinching. "I fell for you."
Silence.
Complete and utter silence.
Valerie stared at me, her eyes wide with shock. Her lips parted slightly, but no words came out. And then, there it was. A faint hint of red blooming across her pale cheeks, barely visible in the candlelight but unmistakable.
She was blushing.
The Crimson Catastrophe. The future destroyer of kingdoms. Was blushing.
"You... what?" she finally managed, her voice losing that sharp edge for just a moment.
"I fell for you," I repeated, taking a step closer. "I know you don't believe me. I know the old me gave you every reason to think this is some kind of trick. But it's the truth."
"That's..." She shook her head, trying to regain her composure. The blush was fading, replaced by suspicion. "That's impossible. Two weeks ago, you didn't even look at me during our first meeting. You barely acknowledged my existence."
"I know. And I was a fool for it."
"Chase, stop." She held up a hand. "Just stop. You can't expect me to believe that you suddenly fell in love with someone you've barely spoken to."
"Why not?" I challenged. "Have you looked in a mirror? You're breathtaking, Valerie. Your intelligence, your strength, You're everything a man could dream—"
"Flattery won't work on me," she cut me off in a cold tone, but I could see the uncertainty in her eyes. The blush was trying to return. "There has to be another reason. Are you trying to manipulate me? Use me for something?"
'Yes,' I thought to myself in my head. 'To survive. To change my fate.'
"I'm not trying to manipulate you," I said softly. "I just want a chance. A chance to show you that I'm serious. That I can be the husband you deserve."
Valerie walked to the window, putting distance between us. Her hands gripped the windowsill tightly. "This doesn't make sense. People don't just change overnight."
"Maybe not," I said with a soft smile. "But I've always loved you"
She turned back to me, and I could see her analyzing every word and every gesture, looking for the trap. "What do you want from me, Chase?"
"Nothing," I said. "I just want to give you everything."
The blush returned to her face, a little deeper this time making her suddenly look away quickly. "You're being ridiculous."
"Maybe. But I mean every word."
For a long moment, neither of us spoke. The tension in the room was thick enough to cut with a knife.
"I don't trust you," Valerie said finally, her voice quiet.
"I know."
"And I don't love you."
"I know that too."
"But..." She hesitated, and I could see her warring with herself. "If you're serious about this, then prove it. Don't just say pretty words. Show me."
"Every single day," I promised.
She studied me for another moment, then began removing her jewelry with deliberate, careful movements. "I have conditions."
"Anything."
"First, I maintain control of my own affairs. My projects, my business—you don't interfelre with any of them."
"Of course."
"Second, don't expect me to suddenly reciprocate your... feelings. I won't pretend to love you just because you claim to love me."
That one stung more than I expected, but I nodded. "Fair."
"Third..." She paused, vulnerability flashing across her face again. "Don't lie to me. Whatever this is, whatever you're really planning—if I find out you've been deceiving me, I will make you regret it."
The threat was clear, and knowing what she would become, I believed every word.
"I understand," I said.
Valerie moved toward the partition screen, then stopped. "The bed is large enough for both of us. We can share it, but keep to your side."
My heart actually skipped a beat. "Of course."
As she disappeared behind the screen, I settled onto my side of the bed, my mind racing. I had just confessed love to the future final boss. It was a lie born from desperation, a tool for survival.
But as I lay there in the darkness, listening to the sound of her breathing on the other side of the bed, I made myself a promise.
Even if it started as a lie, I would make it true. Valerie deserved better than the fate written for her. Better than loneliness and betrayal turning her into a monster.
And maybe, just maybe, I could be that better ending.
---
I woke to find Valerie already awake, dressed in practical training clothes. Dawn light filtered through the windows, and she was watching me with those crimson eyes.
"You talk in your sleep," she said.
My heart stopped. "What did I say?"
"Something about dying" Her expression was unreadable. "What did you mean?"
I sat up, running a hand through my hair. "Just dreams. Nightmares about wasting my life, I suppose."
She didn't look convinced, but she didn't press the matter ."I train every morning. If you truly meant what you said last night about being serious, you'll join me."
I threw off the covers without hesitation. "Lead the way."
For just a moment, I caught something in her expression. Not quite a smile, but close. Something softer than the cold mask she usually wore.
"Try to keep up, husband."
As I followed her out, I thought: Day one of winning the heart of the final boss.
This was going to be interesting.