**Chapter 1: The Gilded Cage**

The grand halls of Malfoy Manor loomed above Selene Damaris like a specter, its opulence and history suffocating her with every step. It had been barely a few weeks since she'd taken the name Malfoy, and the weight of her new legacy threatened to crush her. Every glance, every comment, carried a double meaning, as if the very walls were watching her, waiting for her to slip up. Selene wandered through the empty corridors, her footsteps echoing off the marble floors. She'd tried to find solace in the quiet hours, before the rest of the manor's inhabitants stirred, but even the stillness seemed oppressive. The portraits of her new ancestors gazed down at her, their faces stern and unforgiving. As she turned a corner, she caught sight of a figure standing by the window, staring out at the gardens. Draco Malfoy, her husband, was already dressed for the day, his pale blond hair styled impeccably, as always. His storm-grey eyes seemed to bore into the distance, his sharp features set in a mask of indifference. Selene's heart skipped a beat as she approached him. She'd grown accustomed to his presence, but the tension between them still lingered, a living, breathing thing that she couldn't quite navigate. "Good morning," she said, her voice measured. Draco turned, his eyes flicking to hers before he nodded curtly. "Damaris." The familiar use of her maiden name stung, a reminder that he still struggled with the idea of her as his wife. Selene's gaze narrowed, but she chose to ignore the slight. "I see you're up early," she said, her tone light. Draco shrugged, his lean frame unfolding as he moved away from the window. "I have a meeting with my father. He wants to discuss... expectations." The word hung in the air, heavy with implication. Selene's eyes met his, and for a moment, they just looked at each other, the air thick with unspoken tensions. As they stood there, the silence between them seemed to grow, until it felt like a palpable thing. Selene's mind began to wander, thinking about the expectations that had been placed upon her, and the weight of the Malfoy legacy that she was still trying to understand. The door to the hallway opened, and a soft voice called out, "Breakfast is served, Lord and Lady Malfoy." Draco's gaze flicked towards the door, and he nodded curtly. "I suppose we should go." Selene nodded, her eyes never leaving his face. As they walked towards the dining hall, she couldn't help but wonder what the day would bring, and how she would navigate the complex web of expectations that had been placed upon her. As they entered the dining hall, Lucius Malfoy, Draco's father, looked up from his seat at the head of the table. His eyes narrowed as he took in Selene, his expression unreadable. "Ah, good morning, my dear," he said, his voice dripping with condescension. "I trust you're finding Malfoy Manor to your liking?" Selene's eyes met his, and she smiled sweetly. "It's... impressive, Lord Malfoy. I'm still getting used to it." Lucius's gaze lingered on her, before he turned to Draco. "I trust you're prepared for our discussion, son?" Draco's eyes flashed with annoyance, but he nodded curtly. "I'm ready, Father." The tension between them was palpable, and Selene couldn't help but wonder what was at stake. She took her seat beside Draco, her eyes fixed on the conversation that was about to unfold. As they began to eat, Selene's mind wandered, thinking about the Malfoy creed, and the expectations that had been placed upon her. She had heard the whispers, the rumors that Malfoy men worshipped their women fervently. But what did that really mean? And how would she navigate the complex web of relationships within the Malfoy family? The conversation at the table was stilted, with Lucius dominating the discussion. Selene listened intently, trying to understand the nuances of the Malfoy family's dynamics. As the meal drew to a close, she realized that she had a long way to go, and that the road ahead would be fraught with challenges. But she was determined to navigate the treacherous waters of her new life, and to forge her own path within the Malfoy family. Little did she know, the journey would be far more complicated than she could have ever imagined.