A decision

That night, Lumi lay awake, staring at the cracked ceiling of their small home. He could hear his mother’s quiet sobs, his father’s restless movements. The weight of their suffering pressed on his chest like a stone.

He thought about the debt collectors, the way they looked at him, spoke about him. If he refused this offer, the harassment would only get worse. He knew what they wanted—if not now, then soon. Rather than be forced into the hands of many, he would rather belong to one.

By morning, his mind was made up.

Lumi: softly "Mama, Papa… I’ll do it."

His parents looked up in shock, his mother nearly dropping the cup in her hands.

Mother: shaking her head "No, Lumi, no. You don’t have to—"

Lumi: gently "I don’t want to see you suffer anymore. If marrying him means you can live without fear… then I’ll do it."

His father clenched his fists, his jaw tight. He hated this. Hated that their son had to make such a choice. But he also knew Lumi wasn’t a child anymore. He was making this decision not just for them, but for himself.

Father: sighs "At least meet the man first."

Lumi: nods "I was going to ask for that. I want to see what kind of person he is before I agree."

His mother looked like she wanted to protest again, but she could see the resolve in Lumi’s eyes. Her heart ached, but she knew she couldn’t stop him.

Mother: whispers "You deserve happiness, my son."

Lumi: smiling faintly "Maybe… this is the only way I’ll get it."

Later that afternoon, they sent word to Edward. Lumi would agree—but only after meeting the man who would become his husband.

The next evening, Edward returned, standing at their doorstep with his usual unreadable expression. Lumi sat across from him, his hands resting on his lap, his heart steady despite the uncertainty in the air.

Edward: raising an eyebrow "I assume you’ve made a decision."

Lumi: nods "I’ll do it. But I want to meet him first."

Edward’s lips curled into a slight smirk, as if he had expected this.

Edward: "Fair enough. I’ll arrange a meeting. But I suppose you’d like to know his name before that?"

Lumi swallowed, nodding again. Edward leaned forward slightly, his voice smooth and deliberate.

Edward: "His name is Haru."

Lumi’s breath caught in his throat. The name wasn’t unfamiliar. Everyone in the kingdom knew it—Duke Haru, a man of immense power, influence, and rumored to be as cold as ice. A military commander, a noble, and a man feared by many.

His mother gasped softly, her hands clutching her chest. His father’s expression darkened.

Father: gritted teeth "Haru? The Duke?"

Edward: smirking "The very one."

Lumi tried to keep his hands from trembling. He had heard stories of Duke Haru—an untouchable man, ruthless in battle, sharp in business, and completely unreadable when it came to emotions. Some said he was incapable of love. Others claimed he had no interest in companionship at all.

And now, this was the man Lumi was to marry?

He took a deep breath and steadied himself. Fear wouldn’t help him now. He had made his decision.

Lumi: calmly "When can I meet him?"

Edward: grinning slightly "Tomorrow. The Duke doesn’t like to waste time."

Lumi’s heart pounded, but he forced a small smile.

Lumi: softly "Neither do I."

The next morning, Lumi stood in front of a mirror, smoothing out the only presentable clothes he owned—a simple but clean white shirt and neatly pressed trousers. His mother had done her best to mend any loose threads, and his father had shined his worn-out shoes until they looked new. It wasn’t much, but Lumi held his head high. He would not shame his family, no matter who he was meeting.

When Edward arrived, Lumi bid his parents farewell with a reassuring smile, though his mother’s teary eyes made it hard to walk away. He climbed into the carriage, his heart pounding as the wheels rolled forward, taking him toward his future.

---

The meeting place was a grand estate—far larger than anything Lumi had ever seen. Tall gates, well-manicured gardens, and guards standing at attention. As the carriage stopped, Edward gestured for Lumi to step out, leading him through marble halls until they reached a quiet room with large windows overlooking the city.

"Wait here," Edward said before stepping out, leaving Lumi alone in the silent space. He took a deep breath, pressing his hands together to keep them from shaking. Then—

The door opened.

A man stepped inside, his presence alone enough to make the air feel heavier. He was tall, dressed in black, with piercing green eyes that seemed to look right through Lumi. His dark green hair framed his sharp, unreadable face, and his posture was that of a man who commanded absolute authority.

Duke Haru.

For a long moment, he simply looked at Lumi, his gaze calculating, assessing.

Haru: coolly "So, you’re the one."

Lumi swallowed but held his ground. He lowered his head slightly in greeting before meeting Haru’s eyes again.

Lumi: softly but firmly "Yes. I’m Lumi."

A pause. Then—

Haru: raising an eyebrow "You’re smaller than I expected."

Lumi blinked at the odd comment but kept his polite smile.

Lumi: tilting his head "I wasn’t aware there was an expectation."

For a second, something flickered in Haru’s gaze—amusement? But it was gone just as quickly.

Haru: crossing his arms "You agreed to this marriage knowing nothing about me. Why?"

Lumi hesitated before answering, choosing his words carefully.

Lumi: softly "Because I don’t want my family to suffer anymore. And if I must belong to someone… I’d rather it be one person than many."

Haru’s expression remained unreadable, but his eyes studied Lumi more intently now, as if seeing something he hadn’t noticed before.

Haru: quietly "You understand this isn’t a fairy tale. If you marry me, you’ll be bound to me completely. My world is not kind."

Lumi: meeting his gaze without hesitation "Neither is mine."

A heavy silence settled between them. Then, unexpectedly, Haru let out a small breath—a hint of something that could almost be called a chuckle.

Haru: low voice "Interesting."

He turned toward Edward, who had been standing quietly near the door.

Haru: "Prepare the contract. The wedding will proceed."

Lumi's heart pounded, but he kept his face steady. This was it. His fate was sealed.

Lumi took a deep breath, gathering his courage as Haru turned to finalize the decision. He knew this might be his only chance to secure something for his parents.

Lumi: softly but firmly "Can I make a request? Just one."

Haru paused, his sharp green eyes narrowing slightly as he looked at Lumi.

Haru: coolly "You’re already making requests?"

Lumi clenched his hands but held his ground.

Lumi: "I just… I want to stay in contact with my parents. And… I want to earn money to pay off their debt myself."

A silence followed. Edward raised an eyebrow, but Haru didn’t react immediately. He simply stared at Lumi, unreadable as ever, before finally speaking.

Haru: low voice "You think I won’t provide for them?"

Lumi: quickly "That’s not it. I know you could clear their debt in a second, but… that’s something I want to do myself. I don’t want them to feel like they owe you. I want to help them with my own hands."

Haru watched him carefully, as if measuring his sincerity. Then, to Lumi’s surprise, he let out a small exhale—something that wasn’t quite a sigh, but close.

Haru: "Fine. You can keep in contact with them. As for earning money… we’ll see."

Lumi blinked. That wasn’t a refusal, but it wasn’t a yes either.

Lumi: tilting his head "What do you mean?"

Haru: smirks faintly "You’re about to be my spouse. I won’t have you taking jobs like some common servant. If you want to earn money, you’ll do it on my terms."

Lumi: hesitant "…Which are?"

Haru: "You’ll find out soon enough."

Lumi didn’t know if that should make him nervous or relieved, but he had gotten what he wanted—for now. He lowered his head slightly in gratitude.

Lumi: softly "Thank you."

Haru said nothing, only watching him with that same unreadable gaze. Lumi wasn’t sure if he had just made things better for himself… or much, much more complicated.

Haru: arms crossed, watching Lumi sip tea "You’re not what I expected."

Lumi: blinking "What did you expect?"

Haru: tilts head slightly "Someone desperate. Someone willing to flatter and please just to secure a better life."

Lumi: smiling softly "Would that have made you say yes faster?"

Haru: smirks "No. It would’ve made me say no."

Lumi: laughs lightly "Then I’m glad I disappointed you."

Haru: studying him "You’re careful with your words, but you don’t lie. That’s rare."

Lumi: shrugs "Lies don’t last. I don’t have the luxury of pretending to be someone I’m not."

Haru: narrowing his eyes "You’re adaptable. You listen before you speak. Do you always shape yourself to match others?"

Lumi: pausing "I don’t think of it that way. I just… understand when to talk and when to stay quiet."

Haru: leaning back "That’s not a skill common in people who grew up poor. Most are either too submissive or too desperate to prove themselves."

Lumi: softly "I’ve seen what happens when people speak without thinking. It costs more than money."