Isabella pulled back, her eyes sharp and unreadable. Fernando's gaze burned into her, but she refused to give in so easily.
"We don't have time for hesitation," he said, voice low but urgent. "Tomorrow, you meet the family. They'll test you. This isn't just about love—it's about survival."
She crossed her arms, biting back the tremor in her voice. "Survival? You think I'm some prize to be tested? I'm not here to be handed over on a silver platter."
Fernando's jaw tightened. "It's not about that. It's about trust. If you want in, you need to show you're not afraid of the darkness."
Isabella met his stare with steel. "Maybe I'm afraid. Maybe I don't want this life."
He stepped closer, his hand reaching for hers again. She jerked it away, the fire in her eyes flaring. "Don't think I'm yours to command."
For the first time, Fernando's expression softened — a mix of admiration and challenge. "Good. I don't want a servant. I want a queen."
She held her ground, but inside, her heart was pounding louder than ever
---
The rain began to fall softly outside the mansion, tapping against the windows like a distant warning. Isabella stood near the fireplace in the dimly lit study, arms crossed, her mind a battlefield of doubt and curiosity. Fernando leaned against the doorframe, watching her with that same unreadable intensity.
"You're quiet," he said, voice steady but edged with something more—something dangerous.
"I'm thinking," she replied, not looking at him.
"About walking away?"
She turned, finally meeting his gaze. "About whether this is a game to you. You say you want a queen, but kings don't throw their queens into war without telling them the rules."
Fernando walked in slowly, deliberate. "There are no rules in my world. Just survival. Power. And loyalty. If you can't handle that, say it now."
Isabella lifted her chin. "I don't need to be saved. I've survived things you know nothing about. I don't need a throne. I want answers."
He moved closer, but she held her ground. "Why me, Fernando? You could have any girl. One who'd fall to her knees if you so much as looked her way. So why pick the one who bites back?"
A shadow of a smirk tugged at his lips. "Because you bite back."
She rolled her eyes, hiding the flutter in her chest. "That's not a reason. That's an excuse."
He leaned in, close enough to feel her breath. "It's because I've seen the fire in you. The kind of fire people try to put out, but can't. I want someone who doesn't break when the world turns to ash."
Their eyes locked, the air between them thick with tension—not just desire, but power. This wasn't about romance. This was about who would fold first.
Fernando reached up and tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear. "You don't have to trust me yet, Isabella. But soon, you'll see. I don't want to tame you—I want to set you free."
Her heart betrayed her with a beat too loud. She hated how his words curled into her like smoke, how much she wanted to believe him. But she couldn't—*not yet*.
She stepped back, voice cool. "Then prove it. Don't just talk. Show me."
His smirk widened, but this time, there was no arrogance—only respect.
"I will. Starting tomorrow."
As he turned and left the room, Isabella exhaled slowly. Whatever came next, she wouldn't be anyone's pawn. Not even his.
But deep down, she knew—the game had already begun.