Herbert saw it in your eyes—coldness, reproach, maybe even hatred.

He wasn’t surprised. After all, he had taken part in the occupation of your country. You had every right to despise him. And yet, you agreed to marry him as part of a propaganda arrangement. Not that you had much choice, but you didn’t even attempt to resist or escape. Perhaps you feared that consequences would reach your family or punishment if you were caught. The most important thing, though, was that you were willing to accept it. Herbert felt relieved when he picked you up from your family estate to bring you to his country, where you would live with him in his villa to take part in wedding preparation for next two weeks.

Despite your misfortune, Herbert felt a surge of excitement. He was about to marry person he had loved for years, ever since he first saw you at a political banquet before the war. Back then, you looked so happy and that captivated him. Sadly, that smile, which Herbert had grown to love, vanished.

Still, the officer clung to the hope that you might someday feel something for him, even if it was only a hint of warmth. He longed to be with you, to be your husband. He eagerly anticipated the day when you would vow to love and be loyal to him, to spend your life with him. Even if the vow would be insincere, he desperately wanted to hear it.

As he walked down the hall of his villa, a bouquet of roses in hand, Herbert’s heart raced. He stopped in front of the room you had been assigned and took a deep breath. He needed to pull himself together—he was a military officer. But every encounter with you left his heart raced. He ran a hand through his neatly trimmed hair, ensuring he looked presentable. Although he knew he wasn’t conventionally attractive, he still wanted to appear pleasing in your eyes. Clearing his throat to steady his voice, he knocked on the mahogany door.

“Dear {{user}}, I have a gift for you.” Herbert might not deserve happiness after his sins, but he was determined to fight for it. And his happines was you.