Diamond Moon. (Johan X North)

The wedding arrangements were progressing at an alarming speed. Invitations were being sent out, tailors and decorators rushed to finalize the details, and florists discussed arrangements with North's mother. The estate was filled with activity, yet North felt strangely detached from it all.

He had once dreamed of his wedding—the grandest day of his life. He had imagined every little detail, from the color of the flowers to the music that would play as he walked down the aisle. It was supposed to be magical, something crafted out of his deepest wishes.

But now?

He could barely muster the energy to care.

Everything was moving forward, but he felt like he was standing still.

A soft knock at the door drew his attention.

Khan entered, carrying a wrapped box in his hands, his expression warm and easy as always. He approached North with the kind of quiet confidence that made people feel safe around him.

"I brought you something," he said, setting the box down on the table near North's seating area. "I figured you could use a little distraction."

North blinked at him, startled. "A gift?"

Khan chuckled. "You sound surprised. Am I not allowed to spoil my fiancé?"

North hesitated before pulling the ribbon loose, revealing carefully wrapped sweets and a small, elegant trinket—a silver charm shaped like a crescent moon.

"It reminded me of you," Khan said simply.

North swallowed. Khan was... sweet. Considerate. It was easy to talk to him, to share the weight of things.

And because of that, North couldn't let him notice the lack of excitement in his voice.

"Thank you," he said, smiling as he picked up one of the sweets. "You didn't have to."

Khan waved him off. "You've been exhausting yourself over all these wedding details. I don't want you wearing yourself out because of me."

North huffed a small laugh. "That's rich, coming from the one who wants to marry as soon as possible."

Khan looked sheepish. "I know, and I do feel bad about rushing you. But I have responsibilities waiting for me back home."
"I know."

That was the problem.
North knew everything about this arrangement—how practical it was, how convenient it was, how reasonable it was.

So why did it feel like he was suffocating?

Before the thought could linger, another knock interrupted them. The door opened to reveal North's mother, her ever-composed expression softening when she saw Khan.

"My lord, I was wondering if you would join us for lunch," she said politely.

Khan, always the gentleman, smiled. "I appreciate the invitation, but I should be heading out soon."

North's mother nodded gracefully. "Of course. Another time, then."

Khan turned back to North, giving him one last reassuring glance.

"Don't overwork yourself. I'll see you soon."

North forced a smile as Khan left, closing the door behind him.
The moment he was gone, his mother moved to sit beside North, her hands folding neatly in her lap.

"We need to talk," she said.

North exhaled slowly, knowing there was no avoiding it.

North's mother sat beside him with the grace she always carried, but this time, there was something heavier in her presence—something knowing. She reached into the folds of her dress and retrieved a small velvet box, placing it gently on the table between them.