"My lady…"
Ellyn sighed, rubbing her temples.
"Mrs. Faria… you should call me Ellyn. And aren't you supposed to be my 'mother'?"
The woman standing beside her—Mrs. Faria—bowed slightly, her expression calm and composed.
"That is true, my lady. But we are the only two here inside this house."
Ellyn bit her lip.
"Yes… I know… it's just…"
Mrs. Faria smiled gently.
"Don't worry about it, my lady."
She knelt before her, placing a hand over her chest.
"I will protect you, as your father commanded."
Ellyn's expression darkened for a brief moment.
"Uncle… he did ask about my family…"
Her eyes flickered with a hint of sadness.
"I had to fake it."
Mrs. Faria remained silent, nodding in understanding.
Because the truth was—
Ellyn carried noble blood.
And not just that—
She was also a special skill user.
Her real identity had to be hidden.
Mrs. Faria—once a high-ranking knight—had taken the role of her assigned guardian and personal maid.
For now, the secret remained safe.
But for how long?
Mrs. Faria folded her arms, watching Ellyn carefully.
"I was truly surprised when you took a Pinky Promise Oath with that man."
Her eyes narrowed slightly.
"You do understand, my lady, that such an oath cannot be broken—no matter what."
She paused.
"Except if that man dies."
Ellyn nodded, unfazed.
"I know, Mrs. Faria."
She closed her eyes for a moment, then smiled faintly.
"But because of the Pinky Promise Sacred Oath, those men who seek my power will not be able to make a move on me."
Her expression hardened.
"And more than that… the oath is not something they can easily break. Even if they try to kill Hazuki."
Mrs. Faria exhaled deeply, placing a hand over her chest.
"Yes, my lady, I understand."
She looked at Ellyn with admiration and concern.
"The Pinky Promise Sacred Oath does not just bind two souls together…"
She paused, then continued.
"It also grants divine protection—shielding the oath-bearer from external harm, enhancing their fortune, and ensuring fate itself bends in their favor."
Ellyn opened her right eye, its golden glow reflecting the candlelight.
"That's why I chose him."
Mrs. Faria narrowed her eyes, her tone serious.
"My lady… you do understand, don't you?"
Ellyn remained calm but attentive.
"A sacred oath like this must be completely sealed when both partners exchange a kiss."
Her voice lowered slightly.
"And that also means… every kiss you give to your chosen man will awaken his hidden potential and grant him a chance to unlock powerful skills."
Ellyn nodded slowly.
"Yes, I know that, Mrs. Faria."
Her golden eye glowed faintly in the dim light.
"That is exactly why those men seek me. Why they hunt for me."
She gripped her dress slightly, her voice firm.
"To force me to become their bride."
Her gaze darkened.
"Because of this special skill… I am nothing more than a prize to them."
Mrs. Faria sighed, her expression softening.
"And yet… you willingly gave that oath to a man like him."
Ellyn smiled faintly.
Mrs. Faria hesitated, her expression unreadable.
"Are you truly sure about this man, my lady?"
Ellyn closed her eyes for a moment.
Then—
She slowly opened them.
Her golden irises shifted, intricate mystic patterns forming within.
The room itself felt heavier, as if the air recognized the presence of something beyond normal sight.
And then—
She smiled purely.
"I may be only ten years old now, but I am not like other children."
Her voice was steady, unwavering.
"And you know that, Mrs. Faria."
Mrs. Faria lowered her head slightly, acknowledging the truth.
"Yes, my lady."
She glanced at Ellyn's glowing eyes.
"The Absolute Eye… the power to see beyond deception."
Her voice softened.
"Along with the other special skills that will benefit your chosen partner."
She met Ellyn's gaze once more.
"But are you truly certain?"
Her tone held concern.
"He is a human. No beastfolk like us. And you… you carry the true blood of beastfolk nobility."
Ellyn closed her eyes briefly, then looked up with absolute certainty.
"Yes."
Her voice was calm, absolute.
"This eye has never lied. It cannot be deceived."
Her expression softened, almost fondly.
"I can see lies… and I tell you, Mrs. Faria… he is the perfect one."
She paused, then continued.
"He does not crave power."
"All he truly wants is something for himself."
Her gaze sharpened.
"And he is someone who will chase after what he desires."
A small, knowing smile appeared on her lips.
"And once he gets it…"
She placed a hand on her chest, feeling the warmth of the sacred oath.
"He never lets go."
Mrs. Faria exhaled deeply
Mrs. Faria remained unconvinced, her sharp gaze lingering on Ellyn.
"But… what if he chases after another woman?"
Ellyn did not hesitate.
She simply smiled.
Then—
She raised her hand, letting the soft glow of the Pinky Promise Ring shine under the light.
"Do you think he or I would even be able to?"
Mrs. Faria stared at the ring, her lips pressing into a thin line.
Ellyn continued calmly.
"It's not just about me and him."
Her expression darkened slightly, but her voice remained composed.
"Other men… they cannot make a move on me."
She gazed down at the ring.
"They cannot force me into anything."
Mrs. Faria stayed silent.
She knew exactly what Ellyn was referring to.
There were always those who sought power through any means necessary.
Even if it meant taking what was not freely given.
But this—
This sacred oath was an unbreakable shield.
A force beyond human greed.
Ellyn's eyes softened slightly.
"That's why I made this choice, Mrs. Faria."
"With this, I am safe."
Mrs. Faria let out a quiet sigh.
Then—
She smiled faintly.
"It seems… you truly have thought this through, my lady."
Ellyn nodded.
The sacred oath was not just a promise.
It was a bond that could not be broken.
And because of it—
No one could take what was hers.
And Hazuki…
Whether he realized it or not—
He now carried a responsibility greater than he could ever imagine.
Mrs. Faria smirked suddenly, crossing her arms.
"Make sure you seal the deal within this week, my lady."
Ellyn blinked, her ears twitching slightly.
"B-But…"
Mrs. Faria grinned wider.
"No 'but.' You have to."
She leaned in slightly.
"Find a way… or the oath will weaken."
Ellyn's face twitched.
"F-Fine…"
Mrs. Faria straightened up, nodding approvingly.
"We have only this week, my lady."
She smirked knowingly.
"And it's a good thing we're still staying in this town."
She paused for effect.
"And our rented house? Not too far from the stable he's sleeping in."
Ellyn's ears twitched again.
Mrs. Faria grinned.
"Good job asking him where he wanted to sleep before."
Ellyn looked away, trying to hide her expression.
Mrs. Faria's smile softened slightly.
"Once the oath is completely sealed…"
She placed a hand over Ellyn's shoulder.
"You won't have to keep running anymore."
She met Ellyn's gaze firmly.
"And you know that."
Ellyn gripped the edge of her dress, deep in thought.
Mrs. Faria was right.
Once the oath was sealed with a kiss, no one could interfere with it—not nobles, not assassins, not even fate itself.
But there was just one problem…
How the hell was she supposed to get Hazuki to kiss her!?
( End of Chapter )