The dining table was bathed in warm light.
Grandfather Thomas sat at the head, posture straight and authoritative, while Erick and Thea sat opposite each other—close enough to notice every shift of expression, every pause in breath.
Thea spoke calmly as she recounted their accidental meeting at the grocery store the night before. She described it lightly, carefully omitting the truth—that she had recognised Erick the moment she saw him.
Thomas raised an eyebrow.
"How could the two of you not recognise each other?" he asked bluntly. "My granddaughter has been all over the news."
Erick didn't bristle.
Instead, he answered honestly.
"I didn't make the effort to look," he admitted, glancing briefly at Thea before turning back to Thomas. "I didn't see the need."
To anyone else, it might have sounded rude.
To Erick, it was simply the truth.
He had heard the rumours. Enough of them. He didn't care for gossip, nor did he trust second-hand judgement. His intention had always been simple—honour his father's final request, follow his lawyer's advice, and meet his fiancée without prejudice.
He preferred to judge people with his own eyes.
Then he looked at Thea again.
"…But I don't regret meeting her at the store," he added quietly.
Thea smiled, amused.
"I was startled too," she said lightly, twirling her fork. "The man who helped me find ingredients and carried my groceries turned out to be my fiancé. I should have given you my name back then."
Her eyes curved mischievously as she glanced at him.
Erick chuckled awkwardly, rubbing the back of his neck.
"I did ask," he muttered. "You refused."
She laughed softly.
"Because I had a fiancé."
Only now did it truly sink in.
She was talking about me.
A strange heat crept up Erick's neck.
You're an idiot, Erick.
He scolded himself silently.
He stole another glance at her.
He had met countless women—at military banquets, political gatherings, charity events. Beautiful women. Accomplished women. Women who smiled too eagerly and clung too tightly the moment they learned his rank.
He felt nothing for them.
But Thea—
She was different.
Not just beautiful, but unpredictable. Graceful, yet bold. Warm, yet sharp. Her playful tone hid something deeper, something unreadable.
It made him want to look closer.
Are the rumours wrong?
He had heard that the La Roche heiress despised him for being a commoner. That she openly mocked the engagement in high society. That she loathed the very idea of becoming his wife.
Yet the woman before him smiled easily. Spoke kindly. Served food with her own hands.
The contradiction unsettled him.
Thea noticed his stare.
Her pulse quickened—not from fear, but excitement.
He's looking at me.
Her lips curved slightly.
Good.
Yesterday and today had never happened in her previous life. No grocery encounter. No teasing conversation. No warmth at the table.
Is this the butterfly effect?
Maybe.
But she didn't care.
Whatever force had twisted fate—she would use it.
Erick, you will fall for me.
She lifted her gaze, meeting his eyes without hesitation.
And this time, I won't let you go.
Grandfather Thomas watched the exchange in silence.
"I'm glad you're getting along," he finally said. "Even if this is an arranged marriage, respect must come first if it's to last."
Erick stiffened slightly.
Memories of their private discussion in the study flickered through his mind. Guilt crawled faintly into his chest.
He glanced at Thea—still smiling, unaware.
Thomas sighed quietly, then gave Erick a look that said everything.
Don't.
Erick understood.
"I will respect my fiancée," he said firmly. "Regardless of how this marriage began."
Thomas nodded once.
The tension lingered.
Thea sensed it—but chose to ignore it.
She cleared her throat lightly and motioned to the maids.
"I prepared more dishes," she said brightly. "We should eat while the food is warm."
Plates were placed on the table one by one.
Still, one dish was missing.
Thea smiled to herself.
Not yet.
She glanced at Erick, eyes gleaming.
Since I put my heart into it… shouldn't my dish make a proper entrance?
Her fingers tightened around her chopsticks.
This was only the beginning.