3 Books Found

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"Prologue and secret society The prologue explains the rules of a secret organization to which the main hero belongs. There are several powerful members (around four or five), and they follow very strict rules. One of the most important rules is that members are forbidden from killing one another unless betrayal has been proven. The hero • He’s wealthy, powerful, ruthless, and feared. • He loves playing chess. • He doesn’t seem to get along with either his father or his stepmother. • His father gives him an ultimatum: either he marries and produces an heir, or he loses his inheritance. The heroine • Her name is probably Willow. • The hero calls her “Mouse.” • She’s a virgin at the beginning of the story. • She has scars on her back. • She suffers from amnesia and remembers nothing before the age of nine. • She has no contact with her parents. • She keeps a diary/journal. • She’s the oldest girl in the house where she lives. The house for brides The hero goes to a strict home or institution where young women are raised and trained to become obedient wives. The place is run by a cruel headmistress/director. During his first visit, he has a heated argument with the people running the place but eventually gets his way through blackmail. When he returns to choose a bride, none of the girls presented to him by the governess appeal to him. Instead, his attention is drawn to a shy girl hiding in the background who serves him water. She wasn’t even one of the girls meant to be chosen, but he decides to take her. Their marriage He brings her home, explains his rules, and they quickly get married. At first, he is extremely cold and emotionally distant. He makes it clear that he needs a wife only to secure his inheritance and have a child. He insists that he isn’t forcing himself on her and that his only objective is to fulfill his obligation. For a large part of the book, he refuses to kiss her or show affection. He treats their relationship as purely physical and tells her to come to his room every morning to satisfy his needs. He also keeps her isolated and doesn’t allow her much freedom at first, although this changes as the story progresses. Eventually, he slowly falls in love with her. A memorable scene The couple visits the hero’s family and pretends to be happily married. While having dinner at a restaurant, the hero’s sister asks how they met. The heroine makes up a romantic story, saying that he helped her and supported her when her father was ill. Later, the hero plays a game with his young niece and loses. As punishment, the little girl asks the couple to kiss to prove they’re in love, even though the hero had refused any affection up until that point. Other details • It’s a series with multiple books. • The second book focuses on the hero’s sister. • The hero has a niece. • The setting is likely mafia-related or involves a secret society."