𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐁𝐈𝐋𝐋𝐈𝐎𝐍𝐀𝐈𝐑𝐄 𝐁𝐀𝐂𝐇𝐄𝐋𝐎𝐑 || 𝐋.𝐌 ✓

➢Chapter 10- The Devil's bride

"That was it," Y/n told Charlotte, whose jaw was sitting on the bar. When she called her to tell her she was in possession of a seven-carat engagement ring she'd been presented while wearing her wedding gown, Charlotte demanded they meet at The Green Dragon, an upscale pub where a girl could get a fancy drink and not be accosted by men. It was a good second choice when they weren't in a Posh mood. "Nothing fancy. He just pulled out the velvet box and put it on."

Charlotte was beaming. "What did he saaaaay?"

Y/n had to laugh. Carl had been dragging details from her since she got here. It wasn't that she didn't want to tell her, more it felt awkward being excited. While the engagement was real, the sentiment behind it was fake. "You know this is all for pretend, right?" She dropped a consoling hand on Carl's arm.

"If you do not tell me how he proposed"—she stopped to drain her martini, then plucked a blue-cheese-stuffed olive from the glass and pointed at Y/n with it—"I will never forgive you."

"He said, 'This makes it official.'"

"Oh." Charlotte chewed thoughtfully.

What Y/n didn't tell her was when Lucius said it, he'd been smiling one of his wry smiles, the gleam in his navy eyes suggesting he liked that they had a shared secret. And what she further didn't tell Charlotte was that Y/n liked having a shared secret too.

"Well. Six months ain't all that long." Charlotte polished off her olives and ordered another round—a pink drink for Y/n and a martini for herself.

"The wedding is Saturday and you are officially coming. You and my parents. Bring a date."

"Saturday?" Charlotte shook her head. "Oh, girl. I have to meet with a client..." She shook her head and then smiled. "You know what? She's canceled on me twice already. I'll be there."

"Good. I'd love to see Leonard again." Y/n grinned. She'd been teasing Carl by bringing up her ex-husband, but the moment she did, Charlotte gaped at her like a fish, then pressed her full lips together. "I knew it." Y/n wrapped her hand around her refilled drink. "I knew you two weren't over each other."

"It's nothing! Just...exes with benefits. We're not getting into anything like you are." Charlotte waved a dismissive hand.

"Yeah, we'll see."

"Oh? And you know you won't fall into bed with Lucius Malfoy?"

Y/n shushed her friend. Reporters could be anywhere. She doubted it, but one could never be too careful.

"Of course I will," she said, batting her eyes in a way that let Charlotte know there was no alluding to the real truth of the situation while they were in public. "He's my almost-husband."

Charlotte caught on and took a careful glance around before winking.

"How do you know we haven't already?" Y/n asked, lifting her glass.

"Aw, hell no." Charlotte propped both elbows on the bar and under her breath said, "We're going to need a signal or something so I know when you're being honest with me. I can't take this did-you-or-didn't-you stuff."

Drink in hand, Y/n looked over her shoulder and spotted a woman who was trying to pretend she wasn't looking in their direction. Reporter or yet another of Lucius's past dates? Maybe both? Enjoying herself, Y/n rested her chin in her left hand, angling the hunk of diamond so it sparkled in the overhead lights.

She wanted to see the woman's reaction but didn't want to be obvious. So instead, she just smiled and enjoyed the One Ring of Power sitting not-so-discreetly on her third finger.