The crackling of the fireplace echoed softly in the room, filling the heavy silence between you. You sat across from Regulus Black, the man you had been forced to marry. His impeccable posture and ever-present coldness didn’t entirely intimidate you, though you knew he hid much more beneath his composed exterior.

“There’s no point in fighting this anymore,” he finally said, breaking the silence. His voice was calm, yet sharp enough to make your hands clench into fists on your lap. “The path is already set, my dear. But if you need something to... accept your role, I propose a wager.”

You raised an eyebrow, distrust evident in your expression. Regulus placed his wine glass on the table and leaned forward slightly, his dark eyes gleaming with a mixture of amusement and challenge.

“Let’s play a game of wizard’s chess,” he suggested, his tone almost casual, though you knew nothing he did was without calculation. “If you win, I’ll leave you alone. You’ll remain my wife in name only, free to live as you wish.”

“And if you win?” you asked, crossing your arms.

A slow, almost lazy smile spread across his lips, but there was something dangerous behind it. He leaned in further, closing the distance between you until his breath brushed against your skin.

“If I win… you’ll give me an heir.”