Zeus's Rolls-Royce rolled to a smooth stop in front of Aurora Vineyard, one of the most coveted event venues in the country, known for hosting the grandest and most exclusive celebrations. Located just outside the city, the vast estate was a dream destination for the elite.
This place held a special significance for Ceres.
This was where her debut was held four years ago.
She gracefully stepped out of the car as Zeus held the door open for her. The crisp evening air carried the signature fragrance of the vineyard: fresh grapes and night-blooming flowers.
Ceres glanced around, her brows furrowing slightly. "Why does it feel so quiet?" she asked, noting the lack of the usual buzz from a high-profile event.
Zeus took her hand and placed it on his arm. "The party is by the Castle."
Ceres raised a brow in mild surprise. "Really? Your friend must really love his girlfriend if he's proposing by the Castle."
She looped her arm around his as they began walking toward the venue.
Aurora Vineyard was massive, large enough to hold four separate events at the same time without anyone disturbing the others.
But choosing the Castle meant one thing: the entire venue was reserved for one event only.
As soon as they stepped inside the grand reception hall, a staff member approached, offering a polite bow before greeting them. "Welcome, Mr. Falcon, Ms. Monteverde. Please, this way."
The staff led them through an elegant corridor toward a set of ornate doors. When the doors swung open, waiting for them outside was a carriage.
The same kind of carriage she had ridden in four years ago.
Ceres smiled as nostalgia washed over her.
The carriage's design was an elegant mix of Victorian and modern luxury, polished wood, gold detailing, and plush velvet seats inside. It was regal, timeless, and extravagant, fitting for the Castle's fairytale-like aesthetic.
Just like her debut.
Romos had spared no expense to make it a night no one would forget.
And unlike tonight's event, her debut wasn't just held by the Castle, it was inside the Castle.
She had also arrived in a carriage just like this, dressed like a princess on her way to her own ball.
Ceres let out a soft chuckle at the memory.
"What are you thinking about?" Zeus's deep voice pulled her back to the present.
She turned to find him watching her, his golden eyes studying her intently.
Ceres smiled. "My debut. It was held here as well, remember?"
Zeus returned her smile before pressing a kiss to her temple. "I remember."
How could he forget?
That night had been his first high-society event in years, after spending half a decade away from the world he once belonged to.
At first, he hesitated to attend.
A spoiled rich girl's birthday party? It didn't interest him in the slightest.
But it wasn't just any spoiled brat's birthday party. It was an event hosted by Romos Monteverde himself.
And declining the invitation would have been considered a direct insult to the host.
So he went. Reluctantly.
But who would have thought that the night he expected to be dull and meaningless…
Would change his life forever?
That night, he saw her.
The moment she appeared at the top of the grand staircase, descending as if she owned the entire world, his heart went wild.
The world around him blurred. The chatter of the elite faded into nothing.
Because there she was.
The most beautiful woman he had ever laid eyes on.
And from that moment on, his world would only ever revolve around her.
Zeus had been so mesmerized that night that Caspian, his best friend, had to smack him just to make him blink, because he had stood there, frozen, staring at her like an absolute fool.
And even after learning later that night that she was already arranged to marry his cousin, Ryzel Clark, the son of his aunt, his mother's half-sister… Even after hearing the endless rumors painting her as nothing more than a spoiled, sharp-tongued, impossible brat,
It didn't matter to Zeus.
If anything, he found it fitting.
She was Ceres Monteverde, the only daughter of Romos Monteverde, the country's undisputed real estate king. A princess in every sense of the word.
Of course, she was high-maintenance. Of course, she was proud, and demanding, and confident. She was meant to be.
And even when he first approached her, when her sharp golden eyes instantly saw through his intentions…
Even when she had merely glanced at him and dismissed him with a cold, unimpressed look…
Even when she had rolled her eyes at him countless times, treating him as nothing more than an insignificant insect…
Even when she had taken advantage of his willingness to do things for her, to give her whatever she wanted…
Zeus had still been utterly, hopelessly, and completely in love with her.
And he had never hidden it.
Not once.
Even when Ryzel, his pathetic excuse of a cousin, had thrown veiled insults at him, mocking him for being just another one of Ceres's playthings, it didn't faze him.
Why should it?
When Ryzel himself had been too much of a coward to actually claim her?
Because despite being her fiancé, Ryzel had been too afraid to challenge Zeus, too afraid of the consequences of angering him.
Too afraid that if Zeus decided to cut ties with the Clarks, the entire family would be ruined, erased from high society in an instant.
The Clarks survived on scraps from the Falcon Empire.
And Zeus?
He was the Falcon Empire.
So all Ryzel could do was watch, silently, helplessly fuming, every time Zeus approached Ceres. Every time Zeus outdid him, giving her gifts that made Ryzel's own presents look laughably insignificant.
Every time Zeus proved that he was the one truly worthy of her.
And now?
Thanks to that fool's arrogance, thanks to his cowardice, Ceres was his.
Zeus looked at the woman beside him, the woman he had spent years wanting, waiting for, fighting for.
He leaned in, brushing a soft kiss against the corner of her lips. "I love you."
Ceres simply smiled, her golden eyes shining as she reached up and cupped his cheek, her touch warm and gentle.
She didn't say the words back.
And that was okay.
Because to Zeus, this was enough.
For now.
They had a lifetime ahead of them.
And he was sure, no matter how long it took, one day, she would finally say those words to him.
As the carriage rolled to a stop at the grand entrance of the Castle, the distant murmur of voices reached their ears, filtering from one side of the courtyard.
Zeus gracefully stepped out first, then turned to offer his hand to Ceres, helping her down with effortless ease.
She placed her hand in his, stepping onto the stone pavement as the cool night breeze kissed her skin. They began walking towards the direction of the voices, the dim golden lights illuminating the grand exterior of the Castle.
Before they could reach the gathering, an unexpected presence suddenly latched onto Ceres's arm.
"Girlfriend."
A familiar, teasing voice greeted her.
Ceres turned in surprise only to find Diana, her best friend, linking their arms together with a playful smirk.
Diana looked stunning in a silver-blue gown that hugged her figure in all the right places, sexy, yet still exuding class and elegance.
"Dee!" Ceres gasped before breaking into a relieved smile. She hadn't expected to see Diana here, but she was instantly grateful.
Up until now, she had been bracing herself for an entire night of pretending to be entertained while Zeus inevitably got caught up talking to his friends. But now that she knew Diana was here, she no longer had to worry about getting bored.
"Cassy was looking for you," Diana said, turning to Zeus. "He's inside with Xavier, Damien, Gideon, and Nikolai. So leave us girls alone."
She even waved Zeus away with a dismissive flick of her hand, making Zeus shake his head in amusement.
"Go with Diana for now, love," Zeus murmured, leaning in to press a lingering kiss against Ceres's forehead. "I'll see you in a bit. I just need to speak with Caspian."
Ceres gave a small nod, and with one last glance at her, Zeus strode toward the large doors leading into the Castle.
As soon as he was gone, Ceres turned to Diana with a pointed look. "Why didn't you tell me you were coming?"
They started walking toward the main event area, their heels clicking against the stone pathway.
"I was worried I'd feel out of place," Ceres admitted.
Diana let out a dramatic sigh, rolling her eyes. "Blame my incredibly handsome, ridiculously charming, but utterly thoughtless boyfriend."
Ceres raised an eyebrow, catching the sarcasm dripping from Diana's voice.
"He only told me about this at the last minute! I nearly refused because I didn't want to spend the entire night standing in a corner like an idiot. But then he mentioned you were coming, so I agreed." Diana huffed. "I was going to call you, but he convinced me not to. He said we'd see each other here anyway."
Ceres chuckled. "That does sound like something he'd do."
Diana groaned. "As if that wasn't enough, the idiot even told me that if we talked over the phone, I'd probably take forever to get ready because I'd be too busy overthinking my outfit."
Ceres laughed. "To be fair, he does have a point."
Diana gasped in mock betrayal. "Excuse me? That is slander."
"You look stunning, by the way," Ceres said, changing the subject as she admired Diana's gown.
Diana flipped her hair, grinning. "Well, my boyfriend does have excellent taste."
Then, after a beat, she added mischievously, "But you, my dear, look even more gorgeous. And a little too radiant, if you ask me. So, tell me, did you and Zeus have sex before coming here?"
Ceres nearly choked on air.
Her face instantly heated, and she smacked Diana's arm. "Can you not say that so loudly?! Someone might hear!"
Diana cackled, clearly enjoying her reaction. "So, did you?"
Ceres scowled, but her blush deepened. "For your information, we did not." She huffed before adding, "He was already dressed when he came to pick me up earlier."
Then, almost too casually, she added, "But during lunch…"
Diana's eyes widened, her jaw dropping slightly.
Then, they both burst into giggles, their laughter filled with amusement and a hint of shared excitement.
They continued walking, the grand chandeliers of the outdoor event glowing brighter as they approached.
"Anyway, do you know the couple?" Ceres asked, returning to the main topic. They were almost at the gathering now, and she was curious.
Diana's teasing expression faded slightly. "Yes, I know them."
But she didn't elaborate.
Ceres frowned, sensing something off in Diana's short response. She was about to press further, but then she noticed something.
As they got closer to the event, the faces of the guests became clearer.
And among them,
Were several familiar faces.
Ceres stopped mid-step, a strange feeling creeping into her chest as she recognized them.
What the hell?
Why were these people here?