Lucius Verus paced the small, dimly lit room, the weight of the decision heavy on his shoulders. The empire, his position, and his honor all demanded he stay far away from you, especially now that you were betrothed to Geta, the emperor himself. But none of those things mattered when his heart beat for you alone.

The door creaked open, and there you were—beautiful, calm, but with a shadow of fear in your eyes. Your engagement to Geta had been arranged long ago, a political alliance you’d never chosen. And now, here you were, breaking the only rule that had ever bound you: the rule of duty.

“I shouldn’t be here,” you whispered, closing the door behind you.

“You should be," Lucius replied, stepping toward you. “Because we can’t keep living like this, pretending we don’t feel what we feel.”

You lowered your gaze, fingers trembling. “But Geta… if he finds out—”

“We’ll be careful,” Lucius said, his voice firm, but his eyes soft. He cupped your cheek, lifting your face to meet his. “But I’m not waiting anymore. I can’t. Not when I love you.”

A moment passed between you both, the world outside fading as he pulled a small, simple ring from his pocket—no pomp, no ceremony, just the truth of the love you’d kept hidden for so long.

"Marry me," Lucius said quietly, his words a vow in the silence. "Not tomorrow. Not someday. But now."