Valencia glared at Kael during their mealtime. He smiled as he ate.
“Am I that handsome for you to be staring at me?”
“Why am I the only one in pain while you look fresh?” she questioned.
[FLASHBACK]
CRACK.
“My back… it hurts,” she cried, planting her head on the bed. “It fucking hurts… why?!”
“What…?” Kael flustered.
The maids entered the room and looked at Valencia.
“Young Master… Young Lady…”
Kael cleared his throat.
“Yes…?”
“Are you okay, M’ lady?” Tulsie asked, rushing to Valencia’s side.
“My back…”
Tulsie looked around her to check for anything amiss. Then… the other maid grabbed the blanket on the couch.
“It has a blood stain on it… so make sure to clean that…” Kael ordered, blushing.
The maid widened her eyes and turned her gaze to Kael. Tulsie gasped and stared at Valencia.
“You two… bonded?!” Tulsie realized, covering her mouth.
Valencia furrowed her brows.
“What…? I mean, yes?”
Tulsie sighed and shook her head. Then she shot her glare at Kael. Kael flinched.
“How dare you go rough on a lady?! It’s her first time! Be gentle next time, Young Duke!”
Kael’s eyes widened, blinking at Tulsie and becoming utterly speechless. Did she just… talk to me in a rude way? Her employer?!
[END OF FLASHBACK]
Valencia slammed her utensil down and crossed her arms.
“If I knew whatever we did last night could cause this, I would rather have you a mile away from me…” she grumbled.
Kael chuckled and placed his utensils down. Then he walked over to her side and caressed her cheek before grabbing her hair.
“I thought we both enjoyed it together…” he whispered.
Her cheeks quickly turned rosy. She shoved his hand away and pouted.
“Leave me alone… you have business with the Royal Family…”
“We. We have to attend together,” he corrected, smiling.
The word choked in her throat. Her gaze slowly moved to lock with his eyes.
“W-What? Me too?” she asked, digging her nails into her thumb.
“Yes… but I’ll be beside you, so don’t worry,” he reassured her. He placed down a cup of pills. “These are contraceptive pills. I believe I may have…”
He scratched the back of his neck and stopped talking. She took a deep breath, grabbing it. She swallowed the pills and drank water.
“By the way… do you know what they’re up to?” she asked curiously, concerned.
Kael held his breath as he turned around and placed his hands on the table. Then he exhaled slowly.
“I can guess… but I’m ninety-nine percent sure that they will try to take you away from me.”
Valencia’s hands trembled underneath the table. Her jaws tightened.
“But…”
“Don’t worry… to my surprise, you were already a step ahead, Valencia,” he said warmly. Then he reached down the table and grabbed one of her hands. Her heart soon stabilized as she glanced at their hands entwined. “I’ll protect you at all costs.”
He whispered before pulling her hand and kissing her knuckles. He slyly smiled at her.
“What’s the one-percent certainty that they will ask of us?” Valencia wondered.
He chuckled as he placed the back of her hand on his cheek.
“That they’ll send me back into monster hunting… because I finally found a guide.”
Valencia pouted sadly.
“I’m confused… aren’t they the reason why you didn’t have a guide?”
Kael paused and locked eyes with her. A smile curved slowly in his face.
“Do you care about me?” he pried.
Her face scowled instantly as she pushed his face away.
“Never mind. I see why…”
He laughed and watched her finish her last bite. Once they were done, Valencia changed her clothing before heading to the carriage. Kael sat beside her as the carriage strolled to the Royal Palace.
As they arrived by the pathway, Kael escorted her through the palace with the guidance of the Head Butler, Maine.
“His Majesty and Her Majesty are waiting in the Main Hall with His Highness. Duke Izekiah is waiting as well,” Maine explained.
“That’s a whole lot of people… to see my guide,” Kael teased.
Valencia rolled her eyes as she held his hand tightly.
As the Main Hall’s doors were visible, Valencia hid closely behind Kael. The doors opened.
“Welcome, Young Duke…” the emperor, Lucentis, greeted warmly.
Kael walked nearer before he bowed.
“Your Majesties… Your Highness,” he greeted in return.
The empress, Cindalle, grinned.
“Oh my… who could this lovely lady behind you be?” she chimed.
Valencia gulped, tightening her jaw. Kael side-eyed her, holding her steadily.
“This is my guide, Valencia. I’ve chosen—”
“Valencia, what?” Cindalle questioned.
Kael’s jaw tensed while he glared at Cindalle.
“Oh… are you that curious about my fiancée?” he wondered. Then he pulled Valencia forward, grabbing her cheeks. She gasped and flinched. “I mean, she is beautiful… so beautiful that I couldn’t stop touching her last night.”
Everyone’s jaws dropped, even Valencia, as she stared at Kael. He smirked and tilted his head.
“F-Fiancé?! You never introduced her to us, and you’re calling her a fiancée!” Duke Izekiah, Ezrael, yelled. Then his neck ached. “Ah… my stupid son!”
Kael laughed nervously.
“Father, meet my fiancée, Valencia!”
“Your Majesty, I think I remembered touching this lady’s hand and felt a connection. Is it possible to test if… she is compatible with me?” Gerald interrupted, questioning.
Kael and Ezrael furrowed their brows, turning their gazes at him in disbelief.
“Did you not hear my son? That’s his fiancée!”
“Duke Izekiah, please calm down… let me try to understand everything first,” Lucentis commanded.
Ezrael sighed heavily as he straightened his coat.
“Very well…” Ezrael surrendered, seething. Is he trying to pull the same trick as eight years ago? This sly bastard!
Lucentis looked at Gerald.
“Are you saying you felt in sync with this young lady in particular?” Lucentis rephrased.
“Yes, Your… Father. I’m asking you as your son, I want to check if the bond between us is a match,” Gerald stated, smirking as he lowered his head. All I have to do is have a mage bind us during the process. Once that’s clear, she’ll become mine.
They turned their heads to Kael and Valencia, who stood there nonchalantly.
“Go ahead… in fact, let’s have the people see it happening in real time,” Kael answered confidently.
Cindalle, Lucentis, and Gerald shot their glares at him, silence stretching between them. Then… Lucentis laughed and nodded.
“Very well… we will set a date in the Temple of Lights for this—”
“I already had the temple ready by tomorrow. Let’s do it tomorrow,” Kael added.
They clenched their hands in exasperation.
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