Chapter 2 – Contract with the Prince (Part 2)

[Seia Aden.]

Seia signed with the name of Aden, which she would soon have to part with.

“This will be kept where neither of us can access it.”

Seia nodded.

“Kyle.”

Seia called him by his name for the first time.

It was an impulsive act, and both were startled.

It was as if a strange déjà vu enveloped them.

‘As if I’ve called this name before…’

Kyle also felt an inexplicable emotion.

‘Can you long for something you’ve never experienced?’

Kyle hid his confused feelings behind a calm expression.

“Swear according to the customs of the principality.”

Seia said, gathering her thoughts.

“Of course.”

Kyle agreed easily.

Seia removed her long gloves and began unwrapping the bandage on her wound.

“The Empire may see it as a barbaric custom, but in Aden…”

As the bandage came off, the wound, still bleeding, was revealed.

“There is an oath of blood.”

“What do you swear?”

Kyle asked without hesitation.

“To never betray.”

“To uphold the contract until the end.”

Kyle showed unexpected interest.

“Even if it’s considered superstition, if you break Aden’s blood oath, the Goddess of the Earth will be angered.”

“What will happen then?”

“She will bring a curse upon you.”

Seia said calmly.

“What you want is your freedom and Aden’s independence.”

“Yes. You must swear not to break that deal.”

“I will.”

Seia looked into Kyle’s eyes, trying to gauge his sincerity.

Then she suddenly lifted her dress.

Kyle didn’t avert his eyes.

‘Has he seen many women lift their skirts?’

Seia found herself amusing for thinking such trivial thoughts at a serious moment.

She pulled out a dagger strapped to her thigh.

“You’re always well-prepared.”

Kyle said.

“Give me your hand.”

“I didn’t expect your blade to turn on me so soon.”

Kyle’s words made Seia chuckle. The tension eased slightly.

“Let’s begin.”

Though she felt sorry for cutting his palm, she couldn’t skip the oath for her safety.

As Seia brought the dagger close, Kyle grabbed the blade first.

Just like Seia had grabbed Kyle’s sword, a wound formed in the same manner.

“You didn’t need to make such a big cut…”

Just a drop of blood was enough to show the Goddess of the Earth.

“Otherwise, wouldn’t you feel wronged?”

Kyle said, placing the dagger on the floor.

“Now, tell me what to do.”

Seia knelt on the floor, facing Kyle.

“Take my hand…”

As Seia extended her wounded hand, Kyle took it without hesitation.

Flinch.

Both of them shuddered as their hands touched. When their blood mingled, it felt like a powerful static shock sparked between them.

“Goddess of the Earth, Mirshi, two sinners stand before you today.”

Seia closed her eyes and recited the prayer.

“Lacking faith to serve the will of God, I borrow your name.”

Kyle did not close his eyes but watched Seia intently as she recited the prayer, her eyelashes trembling and her lips delicate.

‘Can I really set this woman free?’

Such a presumptuous thought crossed his mind in front of God.

“Within your bondage, I, Seia Aden, and Kyle Hellis of the Hellis family, swear to create a single bloodline and not betray each other.”

Seia slowly opened her eyes.

“Anyone who disgraces the name of Mirshi will accept any punishment.”

Though it was a rather frightening declaration of mutual bondage, Kyle oddly felt at ease.

He didn’t particularly believe in such things, but if Seia believed in this ritual, at least she wouldn’t easily let go of his hand.

Seia then offered a few more prayers in the ancient language of Aden, which Kyle couldn’t understand.

“There is a way to confirm if the Goddess has heard our oath.”

Seia’s golden eyes looked particularly mysterious as she spoke calmly.

“What should we do?”

“Just…”

Seia took something else from the sheath on her thigh.

“Trust me.”

It was a match.

Uncharacteristically, Seia hesitated a bit.

“What is it?”

Kyle asked.

“We need to burn our blood.”

“Burn our blood? Where should it flow?”

Kyle looked around, but Seia held his hand tightly.

Their bloodied hands became one.

“Swear you won’t betray.”

Seia’s voice was more tense than before.

“Tribute, I swear I will never betray you, no matter what.”

It was his sincere promise.

Then everything happened quickly.

Seia struck the match against the sheath, and a flame larger than its size flared up.

She dropped the match between their hands.

With a whoosh, the fire blazed intensely.

The flames flickered in Kyle’s gray eyes.

He expected immense pain but surprisingly felt nothing in his palm.

Seia exhaled a breath she had been holding. She seemed to have been secretly afraid.

“Please… let go of my hand.”

Seia said with a slightly trembling voice.

They slowly unclasped their hands and examined their palms.

The deep cuts from the knife were gone.

All the blood that had threatened to drip down their wrists had vanished.

Their palms were as clean as if they had just been washed with holy water.

“…Is it barbaric?”

Seia asked suddenly.

“No.”

Kyle looked at his palm for a moment, then clenched and unclenched his fist.

“It’s somewhat sensual.”

Kyle’s words made Seia blush.

Though hard to pinpoint, there was indeed something erotic about the ritual of mixing blood.

“Since we’ve performed the ritual as you wished, I have a request of my own.”

Seia, embarrassed to meet his gaze, nodded as if to say he could speak while she tidied the surroundings.

“A kiss of oath.”

Seia almost gasped at his words.

“If your Goddess of the Earth has responded, wouldn’t the Sun God be watching us too?”

Seia didn’t deny Kyle’s words.

“When a husband and wife are united in matrimony, they swear with a kiss.”

Kyle took a step closer to Seia. Even with her disheveled appearance, she was excessively beautiful.

‘Perhaps her disheveled look excites me more.’

Kyle acknowledged his attraction calmly.

“To become lifelong partners and stay by each other’s side.”

Kyle gently took Seia’s hand again. She didn’t pull away.

“To not betray.”

Traditionally, the Crown Prince lifts the bride’s veil and kisses her in front of everyone.

For the nobility, it was the only chance to watch the Crown Prince’s kiss without turning away.

“…Is that really all?”

Seia asked.

Kyle grinned mischievously at her bold question.

“No. I can’t stand the thought of Tristan kissing you.”

Seia averted her eyes for a moment before looking back at him.

“Do you desire me?”

“Yes, Tribute.”

Kyle raised his hand to Seia’s veiled cheek.

Before touching her cheek, he looked down at her, seeking permission.

“But I don’t intend to take away your freedom.”

Seia felt his hand gently rest on her flushed cheek.

It was a careful touch, not matching his sharp appearance and large frame.

‘Does he think I’m a porcelain doll?’

As if she would break with just a touch…

“But I want you to know that staying by my side is also an option.”

His gray eyes seemed to have a hint of green, giving them a mesmerizing look.

‘I wish you were my Empress.’

Kyle dared to recall the thought he had when he first saw Seia’s intense gaze on a hot summer night.

Back then, the thought felt sinful, but now it didn’t at all.

In fact, it felt right.

“Can I be the first to have your kiss?”

Kyle asked.

“Before your husband?”

Seia smiled.

Kyle watched her smile intently.

He felt more than just longing for Seia; he felt an inexplicable emotion, especially when she smiled.

It made him act more mischievously than usual.

“Actually… I remember.”

Seia began.

“You giving me the medicine.”

She hadn’t remembered immediately after waking up, but the memory had become clearer over time.

The moment when their warm, almost hot, lips met.

The sensation of something hot, hidden deep inside, surging up.

“I hope it wasn’t a bad memory.”

Seia was about to laugh softly, but Kyle’s fingertips brushed her cheek.

She involuntarily inhaled.

The tension between them grew palpable.

Kyle gently lifted her veil.

Seia thought he would remove it completely, but Kyle only lifted it halfway and leaned in.

The tension made her fingertips tingle, and she almost laughed.

Seia took a discreet breath.

“Tell me to stop if you want.”

Kyle said, now close enough to feel his warmth.

Seia met his gaze.

His gray eyes had a beautiful hint of emerald.

When Kyle’s fingertips brushed her cheek softly, a shiver ran from her cheek down her neck.

“I permit it.”

Seia replied.

As she felt her breath quicken, Kyle’s lips gently met hers.

The moment their lips met, Seia felt as if a long-hidden door inside her had been unlocked.

Kyle resisted the urge to nibble her lips and make them part slightly.

When he slowly pulled away, Seia opened her eyes.

Her trembling eyelashes revealed eyes that made him dizzy.

“Seia Aden, marry me.”

Kyle said.

“How’s that for a bit of romance?”

Seia couldn’t help but laugh softly as she pushed him out from under the veil.