Valencia blushed and avoided Kael’s gaze.
Barbielle, behind Gerald, tightened her jaw and crossed her arms, clutching them tightly. That disgusting seductress.How dare she steal him from me?
Kael turned to Gerald, bowed, and spoke sternly.
“My apologies for my rudeness earlier, Prince Gerald,” he said, gritting his teeth and keeping his head down.
Gerald laughed and stepped forward. Valencia watched him as he dared to touch her chin. She tightened her jaw and faced away, hiding behind Kael, who glared at Gerald.
“So this is the Guide your father requested you be given,” Gerald said, amused. “I could see why you’d consider her… if I’d met her, I’d have asked my father even if she doesn’t link with me.”
Kael chuckled and stepped closer to Gerald.
“Yes… she is the Guide. My Guide,” Kael affirmed, then pointed at Gerald. “So don’t you dare touch her. Remember? I haven’t had a Guide for over eight years, so who knows what I’ll do if you get near her.”
Gerald scoffed, chest pressed to Kael’s finger.
“If you won’t, I am… I want to see the good Duke’s heir, Kael, go on a rampage,” he sneered, leaning back and placing his hand on his chin as if waiting for a show.
Valencia grabbed Kael’s hand and pulled him back. His eyes widened as he turned to her. She shot a glare at Gerald, then softened when she met Kael’s eyes.
“Lord Kael, I need to report to the Office of Affairs,” Valencia said.
Kael smiled, surprised she’d taken the initiative to hold his hand for the first time. He reached around and patted her head.
“I already told you… I sent a letter to them.”
“I know… but—”
“Okay. Then go with one of my knights,” he interrupted.
She jolted at his sudden change and nodded, pleased he allowed it. Her subtle blush made Kael smile. He leaned toward her ear.
“Lord—”
“Should I start calling you by your first name, Valencia?” he teased.
Valencia held her breath, refusing to hiccup at the closeness. She frowned and looked away.
“Whatever you want!” she retorted, flushing as she walked to the front entrance.
Kael chuckled, forgetting Gerald and Barbielle were still there. He turned.
“Oh, you’re still here?” he smirked.
Barbielle clenched her fists and stiffened her shoulders, looking at Kael’s delightful face—pure happiness he’d never shown anyone.
“Lord Kael…” Barbielle softened her voice, walked to him, and grabbed his arm while Gerald watched quietly. “Who is she? I thought you would choose me—”
“Princess Barbielle… mind your manners. I have no intention of linking with the Princess of Galali,” Kael said sternly.
Barbielle choked back a cry and stormed out of the mansion. Gerald scoffed and tilted his head.
“Wow… even a Duke’s son rejects my little sister… a princess of the kingdom.”
Kael locked eyes with Gerald and held his chin up.
“You speak as if I personally dislike her. However, the Office of Affairs shows data that Princess Barbielle and I have a low linking percentage,” Kael explained, smiling but refusing to meet Gerald’s eyes. “If anything, my previous Guide had a higher percentage of linking with me than the Princess…”
Gerald grimaced.
“Really?” he taunted, creeping closer to Kael. “Even when that previous Guide was your so-called best friend who was known to be engaged with you?”
Kael controlled his face and scoffed.
“Is that all you’ve got, Prince Gerald? If you or anyone dares to touch her, don’t expect me to let you go free. Now leave my house if you just want to keep getting on my nerves.”
While they bickered, Barbielle reached the driveway and glared at Valencia, who was being escorted by William. She hurried to Valencia’s carriage and pulled Valencia’s shoulder back. Valencia looked at her—
SLAP.
“Princess—”
“How dare you seduce a nobleman? Aren’t you just a nobody?” Barbielle snapped. Valencia’s cheek twitched. She stared at Barbielle, unfazed, which baffled Barbielle. Barbielle tightened her jaw. “An F-rank from the slums? What did they call you at the Academy? A slum orphan?”
Barbielle laughed as she continued.
Valencia bowed and kept her eyes on Barbielle.
“So what if they called me that at the Academy? We are not there anymore… plus, I never seduced anyone. If there was seduction involved, I would say it was Lord Kael who seduced me,” Valencia replied. Everyone’s jaws dropped. “Though his seduction is quite disturbing.”
Barbielle’s eyes twitched. She awkwardly chuckled, confused and unready to argue.
“I…”
“If you have nothing else to say, I will excuse myself. I have somewhere to report—”
“How dare you look down on me?” Barbielle huffed, placing her hands on her hips.
Valencia paused and tilted her head. This is so troublesome. I wish I could live peacefully if I had a home far away from these people. She made a dumbfounded face to throw Barbielle off.
Barbielle flipped her hair and raised a shoulder.
“Can’t you see? I am a princess of this kingdom! You don’t get to do anything unless I give you permission.”
William looked at Valencia and nearly gagged.
“Oh… but isn’t Lord Kael considered noble?”
Barbielle bit her lower lip and stomped a foot, pointing at Valencia—
“What’s going on here?” Kael’s voice struck from behind Barbielle.
They paused and looked at Kael and Gerald. Kael walked to Valencia’s side and slid his hand behind her waist. Valencia’s eyes widened, and she squeaked. Barbielle watched, frowning.
“Lord Kael—”
“Why are you bothering my person?” Kael asked.
Barbielle gulped. Valencia looked at Barbielle, then returned her gaze to Kael.
“I just told her that you seduced me because she got the wrong idea earlier,” Valencia answered.
Kael froze, glancing at her hesitantly. Barbielle sniffled.
“She seduced you, right?! You didn’t choose her,” Barbielle begged for clarity.
Kael ignored her as if she were background noise, then laughed and pulled Valencia closer. Valencia placed her hand on his chest and pushed him.
“Did my seduction work?”
William closed his eyes, silently praying the world would blind him. Why are you doing this right now, Lord Kael? She obviously didn’t like your seduction. He turned aside and gagged visibly.
Valencia frowned, brows creased.
“Please stop… I have somewhere to go, Lord Kael.”
Kael chuckled, his breath warming her ear.
“Don’t come home too late… say hello to the Tower Master for me,” he whispered.
Valencia flinched, staring at him. I didn’t tell him I was visiting Eldrich. How did he know I was heading there?
Kael moved away and grinned. She pouted as she averted her gaze.
“Just get your guests out of my way, please,” she muttered.
He held her close and glanced at Gerald and Barbielle.
“I bid you farewell, Prince and Princess of Galali. I hope to see you two another day,” Kael stated.
Gerald clicked his tongue as he glared at Kael. His eyes softened when he gazed at Valencia. He smirked and walked to her, grabbing her hand. Valencia pulled back, but Gerald held it tightly. He then kissed her knuckles.
“I hope to see you again, My Lady,” Gerald chimed.
Kael tightened his jaw, shooting his glare at Gerald. Gerald’s grip loosened as she yanked her hand back, turning to Kael.
“I don’t know what to say… I’ve never interacted with any high-class noblemen,” she whispered.
Kael giggled and hugged her.
“Leave,” he demanded coldly at Gerald.
Gerald’s eye twitched as he stared at Kael. Kael lifted his chin slightly, smirking.
“By all means, I’m saying this as nicely as possible, Prince Gerald.”
Gerald scoffed and turned away, hopping into the carriage. Barbielle stretched her lips thin, bowing before she left.
Valencia peeked, watching them leave carefully as she bit her lower lip.
Gerald stared at the window… at Valencia, rubbing his chin. He squinted and sighed in frustration.
“Why does she look familiar?”
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