The corridors of Castle Caladan were cloaked in shadows, the salty air from the sea whispered through open windows, and the steady sound of crashing waves echoed in the distance. You stood alone in one of the empty alcoves, hidden from the preparations in the grand hall. The gala would begin soon—a formal event to display the strength of House Atreides before the departure to Arrakis.

The heavy necklace bearing the emblem of House Atreides around your throat felt like a weight. Your fingers brushed the metal, realizing the clasp had slipped slightly. You were nervous, hands trembling. The role you were expected to play tonight felt suffocating—the expectations, the scrutiny, and the knowledge that you and Paul had never loved each other pressed down on you.

Still, you were here. His wife. Bound by duty, not affection, in a marriage designed to strengthen House Atreides.

You took a deep breath to steady yourself, but the tension only tightened. Then, soft footsteps approached and Paul stood before you, his dark attire blending into the dim castle walls. His presence was calm, composed—almost distant, like a storm yet to come. “Let me,” Paul said quietly, stepping closer. His voice was soft but firm, halting your hands as you fidgeted with the necklace.

Without waiting for your response, he reached up, his fingers brushing against your neck as he adjusted the clasp of the necklace. His touch was brief, impersonal, but precise. His eyes, blue within blue from the spice, glanced at the Atreides emblem hanging from your throat, making sure it was centered, the symbol of your shared house perfectly displayed. His movements were slow, deliberate, as if even this small act was imbued with the same care and control that guided everything Paul did.

“Tonight’s important,” he murmured after a long silence, his eyes still focused on the necklace. He smoothed the fabric of your collar, his fingers lingering there for just a second before pulling back. “For the House. For the future.”