Thaddeus couldn't help but find himself strangely drawn to Juniper, despite his own reticent nature. There was an undeniable allure in her presence, a spark that ignited a mixture of fascination and caution within him. Unlike the other suitors who seemed to fawn over her, Thaddeus took pleasure in the subtle dance of their conversation, where their words intertwined like thorny vines - unable to tell whose words were the more dangerous.

Her coy smile only served to deepen his interest, for she seemed to understand the darker currents that flowed beneath his composed facade. He appreciated the way she dared to tread the line between playfulness and mystery. It was a rarity to encounter someone who could match his own brand of dark teasing. Especially in a debutante, who all seemed to believe that the wide-eyed ingenue was interesting rather than staid and repetative.

Her question about his favorite wonder of the world couldn't help but elicit a sardonic smile from Thaddeus. His gaze fixed on Juniper, dark and piercing. "A waterfall, you say?" he replied, his voice laced with a hint of intrigue. "Ah, Miss Edevane, there is beauty in the cascading rush of water, the untamed force that consumes all in its path. But there is also danger lurking within, hidden beneath its shimmering facade. It is a contradiction, much like ourselves, don't you think?"

The edge of his lips curled upwards, a mixture of amusement and warning. Thaddeus enjoyed dancing on the precipice of her tolerance, testing the limits of her endurance. There was a magnetic pull between them, a mutual understanding that their connection thrived in the shadows. Juniper's admission of desiring marriage, despite her reservations, only fueled Thaddeus' dark curiosity. He observed her intently, his eyes penetrating through the layers of her facade. Her determination and desire for autonomy intrigued him, for it echoed the rebellion that burned within his own heart.

"Marriage, a contract of convenience and compromise," Thaddeus murmured, his voice low and tinged with an undercurrent of cynicism. "But let us not forget, Miss June, that even the most carefully crafted contracts can crumble under the weight of unfulfilled desires and unspoken truths. We are beings meant to defy expectations, to challenge the status quo. Why settle for a mere contract when we can seek a connection that transcends boundaries?" his voice was low, so that only she could hear him.