Valencia bit her lower lip and took a deep breath.

  “No, thank you,” she answered.

  Kael’s chin nearly hit the desk. He lost his balance in the chair, stood, and walked to her.

  “No?”

  “I would prefer not to associate with anyone, including you,” Valencia declared firmly, her eyes beaming with determination.

  Kael chuckled as he stared into her eyes—the green, flecked with purple stars. He smiled, baffled.

  “I… I didn’t expect you to reject it so quickly…”

  “Well, Young Duke, if this is all you brought me here for, I would like to return to the Office of Affairs.” Valencia bowed and stepped toward the door—

  GRAB.

  He pulled her back, spreading his fingers between hers. Her eyes widened as she glanced at their entwined hands.

  “I’ve never allowed you to take a step yet,” he said coldly.

  Her gaze locked on his, and her heart pounded. The hand that touched Kael trembled. What is this feeling? Why am I feeling—

  Kael leaned close to her cheek with a grin. I won’t lose this chance again… it’s been a while since I started to feel like I could breathe again.

  “If you don’t understand this meaning, then I will explain to you…” he whispered. Valencia ground her teeth. His breath warmed her ear. “There’s only one answer: you’re my Guide.”

  Valencia’s brows creased. Guide? Is he stupid? This isn’t how you stabilize. She groaned and looked away.

  He stole a glance. Did she just groan at me? Does she really want nothing in life? He sighed.

  She shoved him back and brushed off his hand, puzzling despite herself. Even if it wasn’t how one stabilized… why did a subtle touch calm me? She wondered, frowning.

  “I made a promise to my late mother that I wouldn’t associate myself with the kingdom,” Valencia revealed. Kael flinched. “I don’t want anything to do with the kingdom. I want to live far away from everyone, in solitude.”

  “Really? Why?” Kael asked.

  “People like you are crazy,” she muttered—too loudly. She gasped and slapped her lips. “I mean—”

  “I see. So if I weren’t crazy, you would stay, right?” Kael sneered.

  Valencia gulped and shook her head.

  “Young Duke, please… as an F Guide, I would prefer that you find another Guide—”

  “No other Guides were as compatible as you. They all felt… like blank pieces of paper,” Kael interrupted.

  Valencia’s eye twitched.

  “Young Duke… you haven’t even tried—”

  “Miss Elyane, how about I pay you to be my Guide?” he offered.

  “No, thank you.”

  “I will give you ten gold bars every week. For every intimate moment, I will pay you twice as much. That will be enough for you to buy land in a year.” Kael calculated.

  Valencia froze. He’s right. I could buy land. For myself. Her eyes glimmered, but no words came.

  Kael burst into laughter, wiping a tear.

  “Your face is always contemptuous and annoyed…but the moment I mention land, you look excited.”

  This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

  She blushed and covered her mouth.

  “I… I’ll think about it,” she said.

  “You’ll think about it? It’s not a yes?” he pressed.

  She shot him a glare.

  “I don’t know if I can trust you yet. I need to draft a proposition before I give an answer,” Valencia explained.

  He nodded and stepped back, hands raised.

  “Very well. Then, for today, let my knight escort you home.”

  Valencia pouted, looking outside.

  “It’s not even dark—”

  “Since I brought you here in public, your life could be in danger, Miss Elyane. I hope you don’t reject my concern.”

  She sighed heavily.

  “Fine… just for today.” She grabbed her bag and stomped out of his room as he laughed at her tantrum.

  In the hallway, maidservants whispered and stared.

  “Is that the lady Lord Kael carried?”

  “She looks average… I thought he would bring Princess Barbielle to his room.”

  “How vulgar—”

  Valencia stopped and turned. The brooms and dusters flew from their hands, and the women dropped to their knees.

  “Do you really think so?” she asked.

  They gasped and bowed.

  “Our apologies—”

  “No need. Rather, report these words to your lord,” Valencia said, brushing off her hand—

  A hand grabbed hers. She twisted and turned to see Kael. The maidservants fell to their knees.

  “L-Lord…” they whispered in unison.

  “Are they badmouthing my guest?” Kael asked coldly. Valencia bit her lower lip and peeked at them. Their bodies shook.

  “Badmouthing would be too grand for their words. They were speaking their minds, and I agree. You should bring Princess Barbielle to your bed,” Valencia repeated.

  Kael tilted his chin, eyes glinting.

  “Do I look like I would bring any lady to my bed?”

  The maidservants covered their mouths, exchanging horrified looks.

  “Wait—he really placed her on his bed?!”

  Valencia nudged his hand away and set her hands on her hips.

  “Yes. You overpowered me and dragged me to your bed. So it’s possible you did the same to others,” she declared.

  His lips curved as he leaned closer.

  “And does that matter?”

  Valencia flushed and lowered her chin.

  “Well, not really…” she murmured. I don’t fucking know—I just want you to leave me alone.

  He chuckled, running a hand through her hair as he stared at it.

  “If anything, I hope to hear your answer soon, Miss Elyane.”

  Valencia glanced at his chest, swallowed, pushed him back a foot, and bowed.

  “I’ll be heading out now, Young Duke.” She twirled and marched away.

  Kael rubbed his chin and let out a short, amused sound.

  “First— a lady who runs at the sight of me, and a lady who refuses to associate with me,” he murmured. He glanced at the maidservants who still kept their heads lowered. “Jayce.”

  Butler Jayce entered and bowed.

  “Yes, Lord Kael?”

  “Ensure the maidservants understand their place. Rumors destroy more than reputations.”

  They screamed and begged.

  “Please spare us!”

  Jayce nodded and signaled the knights. The women pleaded for forgiveness.

  “Will do, Lord Kael.”

  Kael returned to his room and sat, staring at his hand where Valencia’s had been. He smiled.

  “Are you really an F-Guide? If so, how are you compatible with someone like me?” he wondered aloud.

  Meanwhile, William walked Valencia back to the slums. She frowned.

  “Hm, Sir—”

  “Sir William,” he corrected.

  “Sir William, you can leave. I can go back by myself.”

  “No can do. Lord Kael asked me to make sure you arrive at your doorstep scratch-free.”

  Valencia bit her lower lip.

  “I’ll be fine. It’s not like anyone would come searching for me.”

  William narrowed his eyes and scanned the slum street, then sighed.

  “I’m sorry, Miss Elyane, but even I feel uneasy. I’ll escort you to your doorstep.”

  Valencia nodded, forcing a smile, and continued to the small, isolated room she called home.

  “It’s here…”

  “Why did you move here?” William asked suddenly.

  Valencia flinched.

  “I… I prefer where my mother raised me,” she lied, averting her eyes.

  “I see. I hope you consider the Lord’s deal…”

  Valencia’s eyes widened.

  “Why?”

  William glanced at the ground.

  “Although he can be annoying and arrogant, Lord Kael is actually suffering. When he first experienced his fever at twelve, he lay in bed for over a month. There was a possible Guide match—nearly eighty percent—”

  “And what happened to her?” Valencia asked.

  William clenched his fists.

  “His Highness, the Crown Prince, had her kidnapped. All hell broke loose—the Guide’s aura went out of control, and she was killed.”

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