Chapter 2: The Marriage On Paper

“Miss Larsen, this way, please.” Celine turned toward the assistant. A woman in her mid-thirties was standing in the corridor, holding a folder against her chest.

Everything about the woman’s appearance was neat and orderly, exactly how Duke Austen wanted his employees to be.

“Are we really doing this here?” Celine asked.

“Yes, ma’am. Mr. Austen is already inside.”

Celine felt uneasy. She had not slept at all the night before. After signing the contract, she went home and stared at the papers she had agreed to sign. The word marriage stayed in her head repeatedly.

She told herself that it was only for formality and public image. However, as she followed the assistant through the corridor filled with framed photos of smiling couples, she began to feel nervous.

It did not feel symbolic anymore.

The doors opened to a small courtroom prepared for a civil wedding ceremony. The room was empty except for the judge, two witnesses whom Celine did not know, and Duke Austen, who was wearing a charcoal suit and had a serious expression on his face.

When he turned toward her, his eyes observed her from head to toe.

“You’re late,” he said.

Celine blinked. “It’s only ten past nine.”

“I said nine sharp.”

Her lips pressed together. “I’m sorry. There was traffic.”

“No excuses,” he said firmly as he adjusted his tie. “When you carry my name, you must arrive on time.”

The words hurt her. She repeated softly, “Your name?”

Duke looked at the judge. “Shall we begin?”

Celine felt her knees weaken, but she tried to remain composed.

The assistant, whose name was Clara, stepped forward and opened her folder. “These are the documents, Miss Larsen. Please sign where indicated.”

Celine frowned while looking through the papers. “These look real.”

Clara smiled faintly. “They are real. They are needed for background verification. Everything must appear legitimate, even if it's actually not."

“Appear?” Celine repeated. Her voice trembled slightly. “So it’s not real?”

Duke looked at her directly. “It is real enough for the world to believe, Celine.”

“But not legally? You were joking about the legality before, right?” she asked, as her heartbeat became faster. “Because I didn’t—”

“Just sign,” he said. “You agreed to this.”

Her hands shook as she held the pen. Her mind told her it was wrong, but the image of her sick brother appeared in her thoughts. She remembered his weak smile and the way he said, “Don’t give up on me.” That memory pushed her to continue. She signed her name slowly on the thick paper.

When she finished, Duke took the pen and signed his name with quick and clear strokes. He showed no hesitation at all.

The judge cleared his throat. “Mr. and Ms. Austen, please stand.”

Celine’s heartbeat grew faster. The title Mrs. Austen did not sound real to her.

“Do you, Duke Austen, take this woman as your lawfully wedded wife?”

“I do,” he said immediately.

“And do you, Celine Rose Larsen, take this man as your lawfully wedded husband?”

Her lips parted, but she could not speak. She looked at Duke, but nothing is new to his expression.

“Miss Larsen?” the judge prompted.

Celine swallowed and said, “I do.”

The witnesses signed the papers one after another. One of them was a man in a navy suit, whom she assumed to be one of Duke’s lawyers. The other, a young woman who seemed to be a secretary, kept her eyes on the ground and did not appear comfortable.

The judge smiled formally. “Congratulations. By the power given to me, I now pronounce you husband and wife.”

Celine stayed still. The words made her realize that the ceremony was real. She looked at Duke, hoping for a sign that it was only an act, but he simply extended his hand.

“Your ring,” he said to Clara.

Clara handed him a small velvet box. He opened it and revealed two platinum wedding bands that were simple but expensive.

“You bought rings?” Celine asked.

“Appearances, remember?” he replied calmly. “Smile, Mrs. Austen. There may not be cameras here, but people still talk.”

She tried to smile, but her lips trembled. When he took her hand, she flinched slightly. He placed the ring on her finger carefully.

Then he said, “This will not last forever.”

Clara handed her the second ring. Celine’s hands shook as she held it.

She hesitated for a moment. She thought about leaving, but she could not move. Her body stayed still.

She took his hand carefully and noticed his smooth skin and visible veins. He watched her without saying a word as she placed the ring on his finger.

“It fits,” she said softly. “Now the world will believe we are married.”

His eyes changed slightly, showing a hint of either guilt or satisfaction. The judge signed the last page, gave the papers to Clara, and quietly left with the witnesses.

Celine released a shaky breath. “So, that’s it? We’re done?”

“Yes,” Duke replied while straightening his tie. “You will move into my penthouse tonight. A driver will pick you up at seven.”

“Tonight?” she asked, surprised.

“Is there a problem?”

“I just thought it was sudden. I need to pack my things.”

“Clara will handle your belongings,” he said in a direct tone. “You will be introduced properly by morning. The press announcement is scheduled for nine.”

Celine rubbed her forehead. “This doesn’t feel like a business arrangement anymore.”

Duke raised his left eyebrow. “What does it feel like, then?”

“Like you'll be the one in control of everything,” she answered quietly. “Like you totally gonna own my soul."

He smirked. “For the next six months, that is exactly how it will appear. That is what the public expects.”

“I didn’t say I liked it.”

“I didn’t ask you to,” he replied coldly.

Celine felt her heartbeat increase. There was distance between them, and there was no warmth at all. He treated everything like a business transaction. She turned away and looked at her hand.

When she looked back, Duke was watching her calmly.

“You’re shaking,” he said.

“I’m fine.”

“No,” he said as he stepped closer and lowered his voice. “You’re scared.”

She swallowed hard. “Wouldn’t you be?”

He stayed silent for a few seconds before saying, “You will get used to it.”

“I don’t want to get used to it, Sir."

“Then pretend,” he said. “You are good at pretending, aren’t you?” Her jaw tightened.

"Don't act like you know me well."

“Of course not,” he said. “But you are my wife no, Mrs. Austen."

His phone rang, and he answered it without looking at her. “Yes. Proceed with the filing immediately.”

Clara nodded and left the room while carrying the signed folder.

Celine frowned. “Filing what?”

“Documentation,” Duke said. “You don’t need to worry about it.”

Her expression showed confusion. “Documentation for what exactly?”

He looked at her. “For appearances, Mrs. Austen.” The title made her chest tighten. She disliked how easily he said it.

He stepped closer and lifted her chin. She flinched but kept her eyes on his. “Remember what I told you,” he said quietly. “This is business. Do not overthink it.”

Her voice is almost just a whisper when she spoke. “You say that as if you don’t feel anything at all, Mr. Austen."

“I don’t,” he said. “That is what makes it work.” The room became silent.

Then he stepped back and said, “You will be escorted home now. Get some rest.”

Celine nodded slowly and held her handbag tightly. “Okay,” she said softly. “Sure.”

She turned to leave but stopped at the doorway. “For what it’s worth,” she said, “thank you for helping my brother.” Duke looked away for a moment.

“Don’t thank me yet,” he said.

Her voice wavered. “Why not?”

“Because every favor has a price, Celine. You just haven’t seen it yet.”

He left the room before she could answer. Outside, Celine looked at the ring on her finger. It showed that she was now married.

Inside the courtroom, Duke’s lawyer walked toward the registrar’s office. He gave the signed documents to the clerk and said, “File this under legal union.”

The clerk nodded and stamped the documents with the official seal and date.

Marriage Certificate: Duke Alexander Austen and Celine Rose Larsen.

At the end of the hall, Celine Larsen, now legally Mrs. Austen, did not know that she had just become a legal wife.