Aciel’s uncle eventually revealed the truth behind why the women of the Antonov Clan were considered off-limits.
The information matched the files Martin had secretly given him, confirming that everything was true.
As much as Aciel wanted Xylia to become his future wife, he now understood that his decision could affect countless lives.
At least, that was what he told himself.
He was merely interested in her.
Nothing more.
He wanted to shatter the image of the perfect princess.
To take away everything she was proud of.
That was all.
After learning the truth, he called Martin and informed him that he would choose another woman for the arranged marriage.
However, he also made one thing clear.
He had no intention of staying away from Xylia.
Martin sighed heavily on the other end of the line before ending the call without another word.
The following morning, Aciel arrived late at school.
As soon as he entered the hallway, Simon approached him.
“Aciel, you missed first period.”
Simon glanced toward their classroom, where a large crowd of students had gathered by the door.
“Did you see Ivan Harlow?”
Aciel frowned.
“What about him?”
Simon looked annoyed.
“He arrived this morning and immediately went to see Xylia. Then he announced to the entire class that she would soon become his fiancée.”
Aciel’s expression darkened instantly.
His mood had already been terrible after a sleepless night spent thinking about Xylia.
Now this.
“Aciel,” Simon continued, lowering his voice, “some girls overheard Ivan talking to a group of guys earlier.”
A dangerous look crossed Simon’s face.
“He said he planned to turn Xylia into his personal servant after they got married.”
Aciel’s jaw tightened.
Simon hesitated before continuing.
“He said a lot of disgusting things about her. The girls were terrified.”
For a brief moment, Aciel imagined wrapping his hands around Ivan’s neck and squeezing until the man stopped breathing.
But then another thought surfaced.
Wasn’t he just as bad?
Hadn’t he spent days thinking about Xylia?
Obsessing over her?
Imagining things he had no right to imagine?
“And why are you telling me this?” Aciel asked coldly.
Simon blinked.
“I have nothing to do with her,” Aciel continued.
“If she doesn’t want it, then she should reject him herself.”
His eyes hardened.
“She stayed silent, didn’t she?”
Simon stared at him in disbelief.
Yesterday, he had thought he finally saw something human in Aciel.
Today, those emotions were gone.
The Aciel standing before him looked cold and indifferent once again.
Without another word, Aciel walked into the classroom.
Simon followed behind him.
The moment Aciel entered, his eyes immediately found Xylia.
She was sitting at her desk in the front row.
Behind her sat Ivan Harlow.
The man was casually twirling a strand of her hair around his finger as if he already owned her.
Aciel quietly took his seat.
His gaze remained fixed on Xylia.
From head to toe, he carefully observed her.
Then he noticed it.
Her knees were trembling.
Aciel knew she could defend herself.
She was a black belt in taekwondo and more capable than most students in the school.
But Ivan wasn’t just another classmate.
He was someone her family wanted her to accept.
Someone she couldn’t fight without consequences.
Aciel exhaled sharply and forced himself to look away.
He turned toward the window. New chapters come out on g.com first.
He didn’t want to see Ivan touching her.
Didn’t want to hear the whispers spreading throughout the classroom.
Students were openly discussing Xylia and her future engagement.
Then suddenly— the room fell silent.
Aciel frowned and turned back.
Xylia had stood up.
She was facing Ivan directly.
Everyone waited for her to speak.
Including Aciel.
But no words came.
Instead, she stared at Ivan for several long seconds before quietly walking toward the door.
Just before leaving the classroom, she glanced back.
Her eyes met Aciel’s.
His heart unexpectedly skipped a beat.
There was something in her expression.
Something that made his chest tighten.
It almost looked as though she was asking for help.
But Aciel wasn’t sure.
He knew exactly where she was going.
And part of him wanted to follow her immediately.
Yet he remembered the promise he made to Martin.
“Aciel,” Simon suddenly said.
“What?”
“Did you see the look on her face?”
Aciel looked away.
“No.”
Simon snorted.
“You’re a terrible liar.”
Aciel remained silent.
Simon folded his arms.
“We’ve known each other for years.”
His expression softened slightly.
“Whatever happened yesterday, think about it again.”
Then he glanced toward the empty doorway.
“I think she needs you.”
Aciel clenched his fists.
Images of Xylia trapped in a future with Ivan flashed through his mind.
The thought alone made his blood boil.
“Fuck.”
The curse escaped before he could stop it.
Then, without another word, he stood up and ran out of the classroom.
Meanwhile, Xylia stood alone on the rooftop.
The clear blue sky stretched endlessly above her.
Normally, she found comfort there.
Today, it felt meaningless.
Her chest felt tight.
Her head throbbed painfully.
She knew exactly what kind of man Ivan Harlow was.
And worse— she knew her parents knew too.
Yet they still wanted her to marry him.
A bitter smile appeared on her lips.
How had her life turned out this way?
She used to be happy.
Four years ago, everything had changed.
Something happened that shattered the peace inside the Antonov household.
And ever since then, her mother had never been the same.
“You’re here.”
Xylia immediately recognized the voice behind her.
Aciel.
Relief unexpectedly washed over her.
Earlier, when she glanced at him before leaving the classroom, she had secretly hoped he would follow.
he did.
She turned around.
Aciel was breathing heavily from running up the stairs.
For a moment, neither of them spoke.
Then Xylia lowered her eyes.
“What should I do?”
Her voice trembled.
“I don’t like Ivan.”
Tears began gathering in her eyes.
“I’m scared.”
Aciel felt something twist painfully inside his chest.
He walked over and sat beside her.
The two leaned against the rooftop fence in silence.
The cool breeze carried the scent of flowers from the gardens below.
For a while, Aciel simply watched her.
The sunlight dancing through her hair made her look almost unreal.
Beautiful.
Fragile.
And heartbreakingly lonely.
“Then tell your parents,” he finally said.
“Reject him.”
His voice softened.
“This is your future, Xylia. Not theirs.”
“I can’t.”
The answer came immediately.
Aciel frowned.
“Why?”
Then he looked at her seriously.
“There’s something wrong with your family, isn’t there?”
His gaze sharpened.
“I can have my men investigate, but I’d rather hear the truth from you.”
Xylia looked at him.
“Why do you care?”
Her voice cracked.
“I don’t understand you.”
Tears rolled down her cheeks.
“You say you hate me.”
She lowered her gaze.
“You said you wanted me.”
A bitter smile appeared.
“I thought all you wanted was to sleep with me.”
Aciel winced.
For perhaps the first time in his life, he genuinely regretted something he had said.
“I know.”
His voice was quiet.
“I was an asshole.”
Xylia looked at him in surprise.
“I don’t hate you.”
Aciel sighed.
“I just hated the way you kept pretending everything was okay.”
Silence followed.
Then suddenly—
Xylia whispered something that made Aciel freeze.
“My mother.”
She swallowed hard.
“They’re using my mother to control me.”
Aciel frowned.
What?
He had seen her mother yesterday.
The woman who slapped her.
The woman she called Mother.
Slowly, Xylia turned toward him.
Tears streamed down her face.
And for the first time—
Aciel realized the truth she was about to reveal would change everything.