Kael stopped by a driveway, dismounting from the horse. Then he turned around, reaching his hand to Valencia. She swallowed a lump of anxiety as she stared at his hand. Kael’s lips curled as he locked eyes with her.

  “Miss Elyane, I’m not here to bring you any harm… please come down safely,” Kael said.

  Valencia clenched her fists, her brows furrowing. Mother said not to trust anyone… especially powerful nobles. Can I really trust you? Her fingernails pierced her palm through the gloves.

  Kael sighed in frustration, grabbing her hand. She instinctively slapped his hand away.

  “I… My apologies, Young Duke…” she bowed.

  Kael chuckled, grabbed her wrist, and yanked her down. Valencia screamed as she landed hard on his chest, gasping.

  “I’ve never been rejected as an escort…” he murmured.

  Heat rushed to her face. She squeezed her eyes shut and hid her head against his chest. Fuck, he’s annoying. How do I get out of this?

  He leaned closer, breath warm at her ear.

  “What’s wrong?”

  She shoved at him and scrambled out of his arms—but he caught her legs, wrapping an arm around her knees and holding her tight.

  “Let me go!”

  “No can do,” Kael replied, already turning.

  The world tipped. He rolled, hauling her with him, flipping her onto his back. She gasped, her body awkwardly draped across him.

  She covered her face, mortified.

  “We have something to talk about.”

  Kael entered the front door. The butler hurried to him but stopped at the sight of Valencia over his shoulder. The servants and maidservants dropped their jaws, watching Kael and Valencia.

  Valencia grabbed his cape on his other shoulder and covered her head. This stinky bastard. I will make sure he gets a ‘voidable’ farewell gift before I leave!

  Kael paused and faced the butler.

  “Butler Jayce, please tell Sir William that I got everything under control,” Kael ordered.

  Jayce nodded hesitantly.

  "And… she is?”

  “Oh, her!” Kael swung her around, smiling. “She might be my Guide!”

  Then he turned to the stairs and headed to his bedchamber. He slammed her onto his bed. She opened her eyes and crawled backward.

  “What do you want?!” she shouted angrily.

  Kael chuckled as he sighed heavily. He brushed his hair back and thought.

  “What do I want?” he repeated. Then he crawled toward her.

  Valencia’s eyes scurried around the room, looking for a weapon to grab. As Kael hovered over her body, she quickly grabbed the dagger in his belt and pointed it at his neck.

  “I won’t hesitate to kill you…” she declared.

  He smirked, grabbing her hands as he forced her hands to press the dagger against his skin.

  “Then do it… I want to see you try,” he dared.

  This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.

  Valencia glanced at his eyes. Dead as a walking zombie. Although he represented the light and warmth, his words sounded distant and eerie… as if he wanted to disappear for a long time already—just like her. She gulped, releasing her grip around the dagger.

  Kael noticed her retreating and grabbed the dagger as he threw it to the side. He then grabbed her shoulder and pushed her down to the bed.

  “Tell me… was what that lady said about your rank true?” Kael questioned sharply.

  Valencia held his wrist as she gritted her teeth.

  “Yes…”

  “Rank F?” Kael tilted his head. She nodded. “How? How are you a Rank F when… something about you feels different?”

  Her eyes widened.

  “Different? What do you mean—?”

  “I’m the one asking questions!” Kael said, raising his voice. He pressed her down until he realized that he had gotten aggressive. He released her shoulder with his trembling hand.

  “I don’t know what you’re talking about, but I would prefer it if you had kept your hands to yourself… how dare you bring an unmarried lady into your bed?” Valencia retorted.

  Kael scoffed, grinning as his hand reached for her neck. He measured the width of her neck with his fingers and leaned closer.

  “I can snap your neck, and not a single soul out there would care…” he threatened.

  Valencia silently groaned, rolling her eyes. This dumbass thinks I’m afraid because he’s an S-rank Light Esper? She locked her deadpan eyes with his, flinching him.

  “If you brought me here to kill me, then why didn’t you just do that before we entered? Why did you create a huge scene?” she muttered with annoyance.

  His eyes widened as she pouted.

  Fearless? Naive? Uncharmed?

  These felt distant from what Kael had experienced growing up. Many noble families had always tried to get into his family’s good graces or the Royal family, but she didn’t.

  He chuckled, which evolved into laughter as he rested his head against her shoulder.

  “Did someone crack your head?” he joked.

  Valencia’s brows furrowed as she nudged his head off her shoulder. He raised his head and locked eyes with her. She frowned.

  “Did someone crack yours? At least, I’m not lying to others that I’m fine. I actually enjoy my life in solitude,” Valencia declared.

  Each word surprised Kael. He stared at her with amazement.

  “Solitude?” he echoed. She nodded firmly. “So… you’re like an old grandma?”

  Valencia choked on her response, pushing him away. She didn’t expect that. He collapsed to the side of the bed as he rolled around, cackling. Kael wiped his tears from joy and pointed at her.

  “Seriously, though… are you insane?” Kael asked again.

  Valencia glared at him as she huffed. Hold yourself together, Valencia… don’t lose your temper over a child’s word. She took a deep breath and forced a smile.

  “If you have nothing else to talk to me about, then I would like to take my leave…” she bowed. “Thank you for your time, Young Duke.”

  She twirled to the edge of the bed—

  GRAB.

  Kael yanked her back down onto the bed.

  “I didn’t dismiss you yet…” he whispered.

  She bit her lower lip. And why would I need your stupid permission to leave?!

  “Okay…” she replied.

  He smiled and leaned toward her face.

  “What’s your name, Miss Elyane? Your full name?”

  “Valencia… Elyane.”

  Kael nodded.

  “Where do you live now? It seems like you ran away from your old home,” Kael wondered.

  Valencia averted her eyes, recalling that she had left the home outside of the kingdom shortly after meeting him. She sighed heavily.

  “I have nowhere to go… I live in the slums.”

  Kael jotted her answers in his head. Then he got up and walked to his desk. Valencia slowly got up and looked at him.

  “I see… here’s a thing, Miss Valencia Elyane,” Kael started. Valencia walked closer to him. “I haven’t found a Guide in eight years. Matching anyone has been impossible…”

  “Okay… and?”

  “Every time there is a possible chance of a match, His Highness the Crown Prince usually interferes with the match’s personal life,” Kael explained.

  Valencia stiffened up at the mere mention of a prince. Her jaw tightened as her gaze froze.

  “Eh…”

  “I want to make a proposal with you. Would you care to listen?”

  Valencia gaped, caught somewhere between disbelief and judgment.

  “A what?”

  Kael giggled as he placed his arms on the table.

  “Be my Guide and live with me under my protection. If you don’t, I don’t know if His Highness or anyone from the Royal Palace would stop bothering you.”

  A shiver ran down her spine. The Royal Palace? They would come after me?! Her heart raced—not from fear alone, but from the inexplicable pull she felt toward him. She took a step back, uncertain… yet unable to look away.

  Kael’s smile didn’t waver. He leaned back slightly, arms crossed, waiting patiently—as if he already knew her answer.

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