Valencia eventually rested on the bed while Kael slept in his study room.

  NEXT MORNING

  Valencia woke up and jumped out of bed instantly. She ran to the balcony. I can’t believe I actually passed out in his bed!

  “Where do you think you’re going?” Kael’s voice surprised her. She turned around, mortified. He smiled and walked to her. “I didn’t expect you to think of jumping out of the balcony.”

  Valencia tightly grabbed the rails, huffing. She looked down the balcony from the fourth floor and took a deep breath. She leaped—

  GRAB.

  Kael grabbed her belly and pulled her back.

  “Let go!” she screamed.

  He muffled her mouth before anyone could turn their heads and look from the first floor. He dragged her inside and slammed the door shut. He placed her on the bed gently as he stood before her.

  “Miss Elyane, you could just talk to me, and I can help you leave—”

  “No! You’re just going to do something embarrassing because you enjoy teasing me!” she argued.

  He chuckled and bent his knee before her. He slid his hands beside her thighs on the bed.

  “I won’t do that… it’s quite unnecessary to keep teasing you if you become my guide,” he replied. He stared at her.

  Valencia bit her lower lip and locked eyes with him.

  “I need to get my stuff at my old place—”

  “Sir William has already brought them shortly before I arrived to see you thinking about jumping out of the balcony.”

  She flushed with embarrassment.

  “But—”

  “Say… I have a question for you, Miss Elyane…” he interrupted. Valencia froze as his gaze hollowed. “Why are the Imperial Knights searching around the slums? Is that why you decided to stay the night here when I was just teasing you?”

  She gulped, raising one knee after the other. Her eyes averted away from his gaze. Her heart raced rapidly as if he would see through her if she spoke a lie.

  “I… I don’t know.”

  Kael observed her reaction then stared at her hands.

  “Do you sleep with gloves on?” he asked.

  “Huh?” She looked at her hands, nodding hesitantly. “Yes…”

  “Isn’t that uncomfortable? Aren’t you uncomfortable?” he wondered.

  She tightened her jaw and shook her head.

  “Not really…” she replied. He suddenly grabbed her hand and held it. She glanced at him and then their hands entwined. “Young Duke?”

  “Call me Lord Kael or Kael… you’ll be my guide from now on,” he demanded.

  “But—”

  “Although you’re keeping secrets from me, I understand that your mother’s name could be the key reason. So, I won’t pry… I just hope you’re not here and leave me in distress when I need you the most.”

  The genuine version of this novel can be found on another site. Support the author by reading it there.

  Valencia’s heart raced rapidly as she stared at him. Not the arrogant nobleman. But the Kael who desperately needed his Guide. She clutched his hand tightly and nodded firmly.

  “I won’t leave… I’m just afraid.”

  He chuckled lightly and leaned his hand on the back of her hand.

  “Why? Are you afraid I must seduce you?” he teased.

  She frowned, pushing his head away. He laughed as he grabbed her wrists.

  “Let go…” she growled.

  He smiled and pulled her in, breathing on her neck.

  “I might end up trying if you keep refusing me…”

  She stood there, her eyes squinting. He pulled away to check her face. He blew a raspberry and burst into laughter. She angrily stomped on his foot, pushing him away.

  “Why are you laughing?”

  “You look like a squirrel with nuts in your mouth,” Kael laughed.

  She rolled her eyes and walked to the bed, but Kael quickly scooped his arm around her waist and pulled her back.

  “Stop messing with me!”

  “I’m just intrigued by my Guide’s facial expressions. Am I not allowed to tease you for them?” he asked.

  She held her breath as her cheeks reddened.

  “I… add that to the terms of the proposal!”

  “No can do… we gave each other a verbal consent for the terms… I’m not letting this one add,” he smirked. She punched his arm to release her, but he refused. He grabbed her chin and leaned closer as he raised her head. “Now I want to know how I can charm my guide…”

  She glared at him, staring at his eyes as their lips were an inch away. She looked down—

  BITE.

  She bit his hand and pushed through, jumping onto his bed.

  “I need to wash up…” she demanded.

  He flicked his hand that got bitten as he chuckled. He looked at her and walked to her. She pulled the blanket up, covering her body. He leaned on the bed and moved closer to her.

  “Oh, I will have my servants set it up—”

  “No! I can do it—”

  “No… I won’t allow my guest, most importantly my guide, to do anything herself. So, wait here…” he commanded.

  She nodded, pouting underneath the blanket. Kael smiled gently and pecked a kiss on her forehead for listening… for once.

  Valencia froze, eyes widening.

  He knew he startled her and gently touched her nose before leaving.

  A wave of emotions crashed inside her as she slapped her cheeks.

  “Did that crazy bastard just kiss me?”

  While Valencia panicked in bed, Kael personally prepared her bath. Once the bath was done, he returned to the room with the bed in a disheveled state. He glanced at her as her glare locked eyes with him. He smiled brightly.

  “Your bath is ready!” he beamed.

  Valencia jumped out of bed and headed to the bathroom. She slammed the door closed and groaned, making her way to remove her clothes. She folded her clothes before placing them in the laundry basket. When she turned around and stared at the bath, she removed the gloves, revealing the scars on both hands. She stared at the scars with her hollow eyes.

  “These will never heal…” she muttered. Just as she turned—

  “I forgot to give you new clothes to wear…” Kael said, then he looked at her… her hands. He dropped the clothes on his hands. Valencia gulped, hiding her hands behind her back. His lifeless eyes filled with blues and concerns. He hurried to her side, pulling her hands in front of her. “What happened? Why are your hands like this?!”

  Valencia tightened her jaws, withholding her tears and fears from being exposed. Her vision blurred as her heart raced rapidly. She closed her hands.

  “I…”

  “Who did this to you?!” Kael shouted.

  She yanked her hands back and gritted her teeth.

  “This is nothing to worry about…” she said calmly. Too calmly. Kael frowned, grabbing her hands. “Young Duke?!”

  “I told you to call me Kael…” he demanded furiously, staring at her. She flinched as she choked on her words. “Stay still… I hope this will work just a little bit.”

  She obeyed, standing there like a mannequin. Soon, she felt the warmth of his hands, a burning sensation flooding her scars as he closed his eyes to focus.

  Although not completely healed, the skin began to close, forming a callus. Valencia opened her jaw with surprise. How did he do this?

  Kael opened his eyes and glanced at her. She averted her gaze.

  “Is this why you wear gloves?”

  Valencia took a step back, moving her hands behind her.

  “Yes… and to lower my rank,” she admitted.

  Kael stepped forward as his lips trembled. She stared at him, her heart racing as his hand reached toward her.

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