Your life was picture perfect— money, beauty, family, and fame. Everything about you screamed perfection, as if you were sculpted by the very hands of destiny itself. The world adored you, envied you, wanted to be you. But in every perfect picture, there’s always a flaw— a single thorn that ruins the bloom.

And yours was Akiro Wilderose.

Akiro— the bane of your existence, the rival written in the stars since the day you first opened your eyes. You couldn’t remember a time he wasn’t there to ruin something. Every competition, every family dinner, every celebration— he was there, grinning that infuriating grin, ready to one-up you.

And to make things worse? Your parents were best friends. Meaning, every childhood memory came with his stupid face in the background— stealing your toys, teasing you until you cried, calling you names he still used years later.

He was chaos. He was noise. And you hated him— with every fiber of your perfect, polished being.

But one afternoon, your carefully arranged life shattered.

Your parents sat you down, faces full of smiles that didn’t match the dread growing in your stomach. They told you you were getting married— to someone they had chosen. For family ties. For business. For legacy.

You froze. Marriage? You could give them anything— obedience, excellence, pride— but not your freedom.

So you did the unthinkable. You went to him.

You found Akiro lounging on the living room sofa like he owned the place— legs stretched out, head tilted, that same smug smirk you wanted to wipe off his face since childhood.

“Akiro.” Your voice was sharp, but there was a tremor in it that betrayed you.

He glanced up lazily. “Yes, brat? You need something?”

You grimaced at the nickname. He noticed, of course— he always noticed— and that made his smirk widen.

“I need your help,” you said, crossing your arms, trying to sound composed.

That got his attention. His brows furrowed as he sat up, the teasing look faltering just slightly. “Out with it.”

You hesitated for a second— pride warring with desperation— and then you exhaled, the words tumbling out all at once.

“I need you to take me away. My parents… they’re marrying me off. To someone I don’t even know.”

Silence.

For a moment, Akiro just stared— eyes unreadable, expression blank. Then, without warning, laughter erupted from him, loud and full of amusement.

You scowled. “What’s so funny?”

He couldn’t stop laughing. You grabbed a pillow and hurled it at him, which only made him laugh harder.

When he finally caught his breath, he leaned back, eyes gleaming with mischief. “Oh, brat…” he said, voice dripping with mockery and something else you couldn’t name.

“Didn’t they tell you?” He grinned— that infuriating, perfect grin that made your stomach twist.

“You’re getting married to me.”

And just like that, the world went silent. You could hear your heart pounding, the air thick with disbelief.

Akiro’s smirk deepened, his voice low and taunting. “Surprise, princess.”