The news of the marriage spread faster than fire across a dry field. All of Morow State buzzed with the revelation that Max, the national hero of Morow, would marry a girl with no noble title, no political lineage, just an ordinary citizen. The media ran with different headlines, some full of praise, others laced with hidden mockery. “A humble hero,” wrote one major newspaper. “Max chooses love, not power,” said another. On television screens, Aurora’s face was shown again and again, paired with Max’s cold gaze. For the common people, it was beautiful news, as if their hero had truly stepped down from the throne of war to touch the heart of an ordinary human. But for nobles and politicians, it was strange. A man as powerful as Max should have bound himself to a marriage of great houses, not to a girl with no background. Behind all the noise… Max now sat alone in his room. Small candles lined the floor around him, thin smoke from incense rose to the ceiling, forming a gray circ

One week after the wedding… The morning air carried the scent of the sea and zaffra flowers blooming along the streets. Max stood on the balcony, wearing a simple white shirt, his hair still damp after a shower. Behind him, Aurora sat on the sofa, playing the piano softly. The melody flowed like a soothing prayer. It had been a week since their marriage, and now Vesula had become their new home. Aurora had been accepted into the Vesula Royal Conservatory of Music, the most prestigious music university in the city. This was the main reason Max decided to move completely to Vesula. Meanwhile, Max Corp had also been fully completed.**** That same morning, in front of the Max Corp building… A long line stretched all the way to the sidewalk. Hundreds of job applicants stood under the sun, some carrying brown envelopes, others holding job application papers already wrinkled with sweat and time. A young man in a blue suit shouted, “Hey! I was here first! Don’t cut in line!” But a

Meanwhile, somewhere else… Chief Furod walked quickly through the gleaming white marble hallway, his breathing slightly heavy from rushing. His neatly pressed uniform contrasted sharply with the tense expression on his face. In his left hand, a digital tablet displayed streams of news about the Max Corp scandal, which had spread across Vesula within hours like fire sweeping through dry grass. When he arrived at Vesula Serenity Spa, where Max and Aurora were resting, Furod went straight to the reception desk. “I am Chief Furod, Vesula Police Department. I need to meet Mr. Max right now,” he said firmly, his voice respectful but authoritative. The young receptionist flinched slightly, then bowed politely. “I am sorry, Chief, but Mr. Max has given instructions not to be disturbed during his session. He said he wishes to enjoy a quiet time with his wife.” Furod fell silent. He could have forced his way in—after all, as the highest-ranking police officer in Vesula, he had the a

Meanwhile, inside the Vesula Serenity Spa suite, the morning sun began to filter through the soft white curtains. Golden light filled the room, casting a warm reflection on the marble walls and the slightly fogged glass.Max had been awake since dawn, sitting on the long sofa with his back straight, his eyes fixed on the tablet in his hands. He did not sleep on the bed, not because he could not, but because he was not ready. Even though Aurora was now his legal wife, their marriage had happened too suddenly, as quick as a decision made in war. There was still an awkwardness between them, two people brought together by fate, not by a love that had grown naturally.Aurora slowly woke up, her eyes still heavy with sleep. She turned to Max, who was sitting not far away, and stared blankly for a moment before sitting up on the edge of the bed. “Have you been awake for long?” she asked softly, her voice hoarse from sleep.“Yes,” Max replied briefly, his voice deep and calm. He turned o

With his chest trembling with respect, Chief Furod called his team through the communicator. “All units, pull back from the location now. And make sure you are ready for a big dinner tonight. That is a direct order from Mr. Max.”Then he added the part about Max treating them to good food for an entire week.Hearing Chief Furod’s command through the walkie-talkie, two of his subordinates who were guarding the front door of the spa looked at each other. They could still hear the heavy voice of Chief Furod, trembling with respect, as he said, “Yes, Mr. Max! Thank you very much for your generosity.”The atmosphere that had been ordinary suddenly turned quiet. One of them, the man who had looked down on Max earlier, was shocked. “Did you hear that?” he whispered in disbelief. “He’s treating us to good food for a whole week?”His partner, a chubby man with narrow eyes, gaped in amazement. “And not just us, the whole team too! Damn, who’s that generous just because we stayed on duty for