Proposal Terms (2)

Kael paused, raising both hands over the table and leaning his chin onto his thumbs.

“Why?”

Valencia clutched the hems of her shirt.

“Because being her daughter and being an F-rank is embarrassing. I don’t want the public to laugh at my mother when she’s already long gone,” she lied.

He stared at her hand movements and nodded.

“Very well. No one will know. What’s next?”

“Two, you must protect me from the Royal Family at all costs!”

The mention of the Royal Family struck him. The unexpected request clouded his mind with painful memories.

“I…” he chuckled nervously. “I don’t understand why you would request that—”

“I heard that the previous match was kidnapped and ended up dying at the hands of the Royal Family. I don’t want my life to be cut short the same way…”

Kael flinched, his jaw tightening. His stomach churned.

“What makes you think I will allow them to touch you and harm you?” Kael asked coldly.

Valencia locked eyes with him without trembling.

“I don’t think you will… but I know they will,” she answered firmly.

He slammed his hands down, clenching them.

“Very well. As the heir to Izekiah’s dukedom, I promise to protect you from associating with the Royal Family in any way.”

She smiled and nodded. She leaned forward, knocking once on his table.

“Third, you don’t ask me any questions about myself in any way… we are just in a contract without any strings attached—”

“Now I would like to pause right there, Miss Elyane…” he interrupted with a sly smile. He stood and leaned closer. “If I understand the concepts of a Guide, a Guide is most likely a partner in every way… intimacy, battlefield, and more.”

Valencia flushed with embarrassment, grinding her teeth together. Of course, that’s what a Guide does! I’m not a fucking Guide to begin with! She closed her eyes, forcing a laugh out.

“You’re right… but from what I could see, you’re able to be purified by a slight handhold. No intimacy or anything else—”

“You don’t know that yet…” he smirked.

“I do… because you look healthy and better than ever!” she claimed.

He laughed as he walked around the table and grabbed her hand. He pulled her hand up, their lips nearly touching each other.

“But what if I’m not? What if I need more to feel stabilized because I haven’t had a Guide for eight years?”

She bit her lower lip, inhaling.

“Young Duke, don’t you think you’re acting way too much for too long?” she asked.

Kael’s eyes widened as his grip on her wrist loosened.

“Acting?”

“I heard from Sir William that you have a kind heart… but if you’re really crazy as you’re pretending to be, then continue doing so,” she said. Then she sighed. “But if you’re requesting me to be your partner and you’re not even being truthful with me, then don’t expect me to do the same with you.”

He released her hand and took a step back. His eyes averted away as the words sank in. He let out a soft chuckle with a bitter face.

“I didn’t expect you to see me that way…”

Valencia rubbed around her wrist that he grabbed, clicking her tongue.

“I’m not like those swoony pests… so don’t expect me to be like them either,” she declared.

He glanced at her and laughed. His hand touched her cheek. She flinched as his skin caressed her cheek gently.

“I don’t expect you to be like them… but I do expect you to stay for the night,” he said, raising his eyebrows.

He smiled, which came clean yet sent the chills down her skin. She turned and gagged.

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