ARTIFICIAL

R U L E S

Nathaniel

Even now as thirty minutes into the lunch has passed, I have gotten to know my bride a lot better.. but there's still something wrong about her, she's not acting as she was when I first met her. She didn't care who I was before but that's not the point. She agrees with everything I say, she even has opinions on them which are good but that's not the point. Intellectually, someone that reads and takes interest in things beyond her career path is able to challenge someone like me. She can challenge me, she just doesn't.

Yes I am aware it's still the first actual conversation we have but it's also the last conversation we will ever have. I am not planning on sitting down like this again and just.. talking. I don't do that. Now back to the topic.

I asked her what her favorite continent is, she asked me what mine is and I tell her then she provides these facts that I even didn't know, nor did I need to know them. It seems like she agrees with each and everything I tell her. She isn't telling me much about herself but also saying things that I couldn't care about to show she's knowledgeable. I'm not giving anything either, just listening and observing everything about her.

A suddenly good question pops into my head, one she can't twist. "So, tell me what kind of husband is to your preference."

"One that communicates of course." I wait for her to continue and still nothing. There is no further explanation she just gave me that simple answer and continued to eat her food as provided. What the hell? See I don't like explaining myself.

"That's the only thing you want? Last time I checked miele, women are more complex than that." I mean, there's my mother. I haven't had to learn about another woman much but I'm sure she's just like them. She has too many demands that even she can't meet, my father is a strong man to have been with her for a long time as such.

Actually, they are both insufferable so I'll just say they are both strong for bearing each other for that long.

"I just want to know where I stand, what I should and shouldn't do. When I'm allowed to do things and if the time comes, how he would like me to please him." Her beverage comes to her lips when she says that, a clear indication that she means sex but is too shy about it.

"So you want a dominant man?" I question, taking a sip of my beverage while I scan her.

"I'm a submissive woman." Her eyes twinkle with pride in them when she faces me. But as she has been doing all throughout this lunch, she looks away from me quickly and turns her attention on her food.

I wouldn't expect anything less from her considering her soft spoken nature and need to please the man she is to be married to. I don't immediately answer her as I go over her words. A submissive woman. It's very rare for a woman in this age and generation to admit so but I can't say I'm not glad. Would I like a woman who challenges me? Probably. But a woman that doesn't is exceptional also because as I said, I don't need her to cause me problems.

"Good." I state as I cut into my steak before I continue. "I do have rules for our marriage." I take the steak into my mouth before chewing gently, watching her every move.

"Okay." She hesitates with her answer, her eyes meet mine giving me her full attention.

"We both know this marriage is anything but a business deal." I reply after wiping myself with the napkin. "Therefore there will be no touching under any circumstances." Her utensils freeze at the mention of that before they land back on her plate. Her head turns from her food to me again this time. She seems shocked by them but I admit, I would have the same expression also.

"You're not allowed to speak unless spoken to." I continue when she opens her mouth to speak but immediately closes it after.

"I don't want you snooping around here especially not in my room or office." The look on her face is clear, she's disappointed by my rules. And so I add the last one, one that in fact comes with an irk that disgusts me. "And absolutely no words of endearment, I'm not trying to prove to anyone of our love. We're just married out of circumstance."