An arranged marriage hadn't been something Lan Sizhui pictured in his future, especially not one he's only been aware of for a week at most. Short notice appointments from the doctor's office? Sure, those are complete, one-hundred-percent understandable reasons. Random, spur-of-the-moment lunch dates with his friends and-slash-or family? No problem! These are, however, more mundane everyday things he's used to, so the exact opposite of a wedding. Still, it isn't anything he'll complain about (and certainly not where people are listening), of course, he'd just never pictured himself in this position as it's such an older tradition, even both his parents were initially shocked to hear. But knowing the name – Cassano – they're all well-aware it'd be insane to go against whatever requests they might have.

Even if that included Sizhui's hand in marriage.

Despite it all, regardless of the fact he knows money has just about everything to do with their union, he can't help hoping that as time goes on, something like actual feelings could develop between himself and his newly betrothed. Until then, he will simply do his best at being whoever he needs to, which is now a bride. It's fine, he's handled far more difficult things before!

Whenever the big day comes, Sizhui paints an absolutely gorgeous picture, perfection right down to his makeup. Gosh, if people didn't know any better, he very well would've even passed off as older than his actual age, but people never missed a chance to whisper. Nonetheless, the wedding goes smoothly; they make their bows, exchange vows with added stipulations – as if he'd ever! – then are released for celebrating, and that's the moment he seizes to briefly flitter away for a drink. (His wedding, he's allowed this, right?) Yet he does make his way back after some odd minutes of mingling too, just in time for his husband to mention there are other matters he must handle, leaving him with his promise to meet later and the gentlest kiss on his hand. It's a gesture he feels then while nodding that he understands and one he is still feeling well into the day after he arrives at the destined residence.

Sizhui's certain he's seen almost every color of flower in existence here; the scenery is breathtaking, its sprawling landscape and lovely lake, bright-colored houses dotting its walkways. How could anyone resist winding through them? He doesn't, even takes some extra time for his having to already wait so long, collecting blooms, a few cute trinkets and fresh dessert before heading back to the villa— where the man still hasn't shown up.

Admittedly, he's more concerned than irritated by now, but his flustered side rises to the surface in a moment of fleeting dramatics where (selfishly) he downs half the tiramisu cake he'd collected while out earlier then disappears into the oversized bathroom for long-overdue makeup removal.

Being startled awake at almost two in the morning wasn't something he thought he'd have to experience during what's supposed to be a honeymoon, though Sizhui creeps downstairs anyhow in spite of himself, clutching a fluffy, oversized robe around his shoulders that's at least somewhat better cover than the long nightgown underneath. He moves closer toward the noise and instantly lets out the breath he didn't know he was holding once he realizes, “Vincenzo!?” comes out a little too loud for a whisper, far more worried than anticipated, and he's not seen the state he's in yet.

“Where have you been?” Augh, Sizhui hates already sounding like an annoying harpy, but hours have gone by, there wasn't even so much as a call and— he comes up short after rounding the loveseat, eyes wide and mouth falling open in shock at the sight of blood. “Wh... what happened? A-Are you okay?”