Elara tilted her head at me, her auburn hair catching the soft glow of the chandelier above us. Her violet eyes narrowed with a mixture of incredulity and discomfort, a stark contrast to her usual angelic demeanor.
"Wait, so let me get this straight," she said, her voice laced with disbelief. "You want me to enter into a contract engagement with you because if I don't, I'll end up engaged to Prince Valerian, which would inevitably lead to a civil war tearing the Slatemark Empire in half due to… what exactly? His inferiority complex and subsequent abusive behavior?"
Her summary of events was so bluntly stated that it almost sounded like satire. I resisted the urge to sigh and simply nodded, offering a helpless smile. "Well, yes. That about covers it."
Elara blinked at me, her expression cycling between disbelief and hesitant curiosity. She turned her gaze to the three girls standing nearby—Rachel, Seraphina, and Cecilia—all of whom wore varying degrees of stoic acceptance. Then, as if needing confirmation that the absurdity extended beyond my own words, her eyes drifted to the small figure perched on the sofa, dangling her legs and sucking on a lollipop.
The mythical qilin, Luna, with her amethyst hair and galaxy-spun eyes, swung her legs in time with some internal rhythm, entirely unbothered by the weight of the conversation. Her cosmic gaze flickered toward Elara, but only briefly—clearly, the lollipop was more engaging.
"So," Elara continued, turning back to me, her voice a little shriller now, "you know this because… she is a mythical qilin who can see fate?"
"Yes," I replied simply, maintaining as much composure as I could muster under her skeptical glare. "Her readings aren't absolute, nor are they omniscient, but they've proven accurate enough to take seriously. That's why I'm here, asking for your help."
For a moment, the only sound in the room was the faint, rhythmic click-click of Luna's lollipop as it tapped against her teeth.
Elara's hands fluttered at her sides as she let out a strained laugh. "I'm sorry—no, wait, I'm not sorry. I'm confused. This feels like a very elaborate joke, except I don't think we know each other well enough for you to think pulling a prank like this is remotely appropriate." Her pleading gaze met mine, as if begging me to reveal that this was all some ridiculous misunderstanding. "Arthur. Please. Tell me this is a joke."
"I wish it were," I said gently, my voice low and sincere. "But it's not."
Her hands froze mid-gesture. "You're serious?"
"Entirely," I confirmed.
Her shoulders sagged, and she slumped into the nearest chair, burying her face in her hands. "Unbelievable," she muttered, her voice muffled. "Absolutely unbelievable. I was just starting to enjoy myself, you know? Thinking life was finally simple for once. And now this?"
Rachel, ever the diplomat, stepped forward and placed a comforting hand on Elara's shoulder. "We understand this is a lot to take in," she said, her voice calm and reassuring. "But Arthur wouldn't ask this of you lightly. If he's gone this far, it's because he believes it's the only way to protect you—and the empire."
Elara peeked out from between her fingers, her gaze darting to Rachel. "Protect me? From what exactly? A hypothetical future where I'm a damsel in distress locked in some castle tower, waiting for Arthur to save me?"
Rachel hesitated, her poised exterior cracking ever so slightly. "Not… exactly," she admitted.
"I know this sounds ridiculous," I interjected, my voice firm but kind. "But I need you to trust me, Elara. This isn't just about preventing a political disaster. It's about making sure you don't end up in a life that breaks you."
Elara straightened, folding her arms defensively. "And you think a fake engagement to you is the solution?"
"It's not perfect," I admitted. "But it's a solution that keeps you safe and gives us time to figure out a better one. The contract would be temporary—a safeguard, nothing more. You'd be free to leave it whenever you wanted."
She studied me carefully, her violet eyes searching mine for any trace of deceit. "And what happens if this contract engagement gets out? What happens to your real relationships?" Her gaze flicked to Rachel, Seraphina, and Cecilia, who all remained silent but watchful.
I glanced at them, a silent exchange passing between us. Then, I turned back to Elara. "We've discussed this. They understand the stakes and support the plan. My feelings for them don't change because of this, and they know that."
Cecilia stepped forward, her voice cutting through the tension like a blade. "Elara, you're not a threat to us. You're part of this plan because Arthur believes in protecting you—not because he wants to manipulate you or take advantage of you. None of us would stand for that."
Elara's defenses faltered, and for a moment, she looked small and unsure. Then her gaze drifted back to Luna, still swinging her legs and happily munching on her lollipop. "And you," Elara said, pointing at the qilin. "You're supposed to be the oracle behind all this madness?"
Luna finally paused mid-lick and tilted her head, her galaxy-filled eyes meeting Elara's with an unsettling depth. "Not oracle," she said simply. "Just… observer."
Elara groaned and buried her face in her hands again. "I can't believe I'm considering this."
I took a step closer, kneeling slightly to meet her at eye level. "You don't have to decide now. Take some time, think about it. But know that whatever choice you make, it'll be your choice. I just want to give you the tools to avoid a future where you don't have one."
Elara lowered her hands, staring at me with a mix of frustration and reluctant gratitude. "Fine," she said at last. "I'll think about it. But don't expect me to sign my life away to this contract without a fight."
I smiled, relieved. "That's all I ask."
Luna, ever the enigma, offered a sage nod before popping the lollipop back into her mouth. "Good choice," she said between exaggerated slurps. "For now."
I folded my arms and leveled a pointed look at Luna, who was still perched on the sofa, swinging her legs as she sucked on her lollipop with a kind of exaggerated bliss that only she could manage.
"Stop acting like a sage when you're in the body of a child," I said dryly. "And while you're sucking on a lollipop, no less."
She pulled the candy from her mouth with a faint pop, her eyes shimmering like constellations. "I can't help it," she replied, her tone the epitome of innocence. "It's because you're only at Ascendant-rank. You're limiting me, Arthur."
"And the lollipop?" I asked, raising a brow.
"This... lollipop," she said with the air of one delivering divine revelation, "is quite an ingenious human invention. Sweet, compact, and portable. Truly a marvel."
I rolled my eyes as Cecilia stifled a chuckle in the background. Elara, however, was far less amused. She sat across from me, her posture stiff, her hands fidgeting in her lap. Her violet eyes, usually so warm and open, were clouded with uncertainty.
"But," she began hesitantly, her voice soft, "if the Emperor himself wants me to marry Prince Valerian because of my father… will he stop just because I'm engaged to you?"
I straightened, meeting her gaze squarely. "Of course not," I said, the bluntness of my words causing her to flinch slightly. My eyes flicked to Cecilia, who offered a subtle nod of agreement. She understood better than anyone how her father operated.
"But," I continued, my tone firm yet measured, "I am not someone the Emperor can touch easily. I'm not just some upstart guild master. I am the Guild Grandmaster, sitting atop the entire guild system, which now spans continents thanks to aetherite. I am engaged to three princesses, including his daughter—" I gestured toward Cecilia, whose cool demeanor remained unshaken— "and now, potentially, to you, the daughter of an Archduke."
Elara blinked, her brows knitting together. "But even with all of that, isn't the Emperor…" She hesitated, choosing her words carefully. "Isn't he still the Emperor? The most powerful man in the empire?"
"He is," I acknowledged, leaning forward slightly, "but even the most powerful man has limits. I'm ranked in the top 100 in the world in terms of strength, and I'm not just powerful—I'm influential. The guild system operates like the veins and arteries of this empire, and I sit at its heart. To openly challenge me would destabilize the very foundation of his rule. It's a risk even he won't take lightly."
Elara bit her lip, her hands clenching around the fabric of her dress. "But… won't he find another way? Something subtler, something harder to fight?"
"He might," I admitted, my voice softening. "But that's where this engagement comes in. It's not just about shielding you from Valerian. It's about creating a fortress of alliances so strong that even the Emperor would hesitate to act. By aligning yourself with me, you gain not just my protection, but the protection of everyone connected to me—Cecilia, Rachel, Seraphina, and the guilds that now answer to Noctalis."
Elara glanced at Cecilia, then at Rachel and Seraphina, who both offered her reassuring smiles. "And you're all okay with this?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
Seraphina nodded, her serene expression unwavering. "Arthur's heart is in the right place. This isn't about power or politics for him. It's about ensuring your happiness and safety."
Rachel stepped forward, her sapphire eyes gleaming with a mix of determination and warmth. "You're not alone in this, Elara. We're all here for you. Whatever happens, we'll face it together."
Elara's gaze softened, her shoulders relaxing ever so slightly. She looked back at me, her violet eyes searching mine for any trace of deceit or hidden motives.
"And this isn't… forever?" she asked cautiously. "This engagement, I mean. It's just until…"
"Until you find someone you truly want to be with," I finished for her, my voice steady. "Or until we can ensure that you're safe from Valerian and the Emperor's plans. Whichever comes first."
She fell silent, her hands relaxing in her lap as she mulled over my words. Luna, ever the opportunist, chose that moment to pipe up.
"See?" she said, popping her lollipop back into her mouth with an exaggerated grin. "Even the stars think it's a good idea. And I should know—I read them."
"Do you ever not read the room like it's a bedtime story?" I shot back, earning a muffled giggle from Rachel.
Elara, despite herself, cracked the faintest smile. It was small, fleeting, but it was there. She let out a long, slow breath, her eyes meeting mine once more.
"Alright," she said softly. "I'll do it. But… promise me one thing."
"Anything," I replied without hesitation.
"Promise me this is really about helping me," she said, her voice trembling slightly. "And not just another move in some game I don't understand."
I reached across the table, taking her hand in mine. "I swear to you, Elara. This is about you. Your happiness, your safety—that's all that matters."
She nodded slowly, her grip tightening around mine. "Okay," she whispered. "Let's do this."
As the contract papers materialized in a glowing array before us, I couldn't help but glance at Luna, who was watching the scene unfold with an almost smug satisfaction.
"Don't say it," I warned her.
"I wasn't going to," she said around her lollipop. "But for the record? Told you so."
Rachel stifled another laugh as Seraphina shook her head in exasperation. And as I turned back to Elara, watching her sign the contract with a hesitant but resolute hand, I felt the weight of the moment settle in my chest.
This was only the beginning. But it was a step forward—a step closer to the future I was fighting for.