Proposal

Selene continuously bites her nails as she stays stiffly seated inside the carriage that will take them to Carol's house. Many things have been running inside her mind, and she couldn't stop thinking about what she learned. Kaden's busted lips came into her mind, and Vladimir's cryptic statements that pissed off Zeno keeps echoing inside her head. And then there's Prince Nicolai. There's no way he likes her, right? He will never even think of making her his fiancée. And the possibility of it never crossed her overactive brain.

Since they met, they have gotten off on the wrong foot. Just in their first meeting, she kicked him so hard she flew outside of the window, and she made him angry by trying to guilt-trip him by mentioning his Mother. There's nothing exactly heart- throbbing and charming during their interaction that would make someone fall for her. He almost even killed her. And he only acted sort of weird when they were at the temple. After that, during their whole trip, it's evident that he's been avoiding her. Besides, Selene is nothing but a teenager right now. By her estimate, Prince Nicolai must be around in his middle twenties, and it's only natural that he would go for someone who looks more womanly than a child. Selene thought that he prefers someone who's bustier and curvier as a fiancée more than an awkward stick like her who has a flat chest.

An incredulous snort escapes her lips, and she suddenly felt Carol's intense gaze on her. Selene raises her right hand to silence Carol from bombarding her with questions immediately.

"I'm alright. Don't worry about me. I'm just thinking," Selene announces. However, Carol looks at her suspiciously as she purses her lips, not believing her one bit.

"Do you want me to look into it?" Carol asks, instantly offering her help.

Selene chuckles. "There's no need. I will just have to ask Mother about it. Besides, this must be some kind of understanding."

Yes, this must be a misunderstanding. There's no way Prince Nicolai will like a foul-mouthed brat like her. There must be something going on that she wasn't brief about, like how this must only be some kind of act. Selene just has to talk to Marchioness Rozeman about this and clarify everything. After this meeting, she will have to go straight to her study once she got home.

The heavens must have felt that she's already itching to go back to the mansion because they finally arrived at their destination after traveling on a long and bumpy road. The manor is located somewhere in a remote part of the town, that's why it took them some time to arrive. When she steps outside the carriage, Selene is immediately greeted by a weathered and almost dilapidated house. Carol told her that her brother's business ventures weren't going well until he lost all his money and inheritance, and there's nothing left but this house. Their family is only a low-ranking noble who has nothing to their name. That's why when their parents pass away, Carol had no choice but to work as a maid. Luckily, the Rozeman family hired her, and that's how she became her personal maid.

Once they were in the doorway, with Kaden standing behind her, someone opened the door from the inside, and Selene immediately sees the resemblance when a man emerges from it. Carol and her brother, Cassius, share the same straw-colored hair and hazel eyes although, her brother seems to look a bit too old for his age. His clothes are also worn out and crumpled like he has no spare time to care for himself. Selene thinks that it's only natural, considering the piles of problems that he has to face and endure as the remaining adult in the family.

"Brother, this is Lady Rozeman, the Marchioness daughter. You did at least read my letter that we're coming today, right?" Carol asks with worry. Her face scrunches up in disapproval when she looks at her brother from head to toe.

"Haven't got time to read any letter," Cassius mutters while scratching the back of his head. It feels like he just woke up, and she can sniff a faint whiff of alcohol emanating from his body. Carol glares because of her brother's answer, and Selene thought it was the right time to ease the situation's tension and awkwardness.

Selene smiles as she takes off one of her gloved hands and holds it out in front of Cassius. "I apologize for interrupting your rest. I'm Selene, and I'm here to talk about business if it's alright with you."

Cassius dubiously looks at her hand before staring back at her face with an incredulous look. It seems like he doesn't believe her and treats it as some kind of a joke. True enough, what he said next earns him his sister's wrath.

"I haven't got time to do business with a kid. So, you can leave."

Without warning, Carol kicks his brother's shin, and he curses as he held onto her injured leg while Selene didn't remove her hand in front of him one bit. She can feel Kaden's heated glare, but gratefully he is behaving. Carol glowers at her brother as she motions to him to accept her handshake just by using her scary face alone.

Leaving him no choice, Cassius grunted as he unwillingly grips her hand for a handshake. Selene automatically tightens her hold on him, and just as she suspected, the moment their bare skin touches, foreign memories start flooding inside her mind. And the owner of those memories is standing in front of her right now. When Selene thought that she'd finally seen enough, she withdrew her hand from his and smiled sweetly.

"Now, can we get down to business?" Selene hears Cassius's muttered reply before leading them inside the house and to his study while Carol stalks after his brother, like a constabulary waiting for him to make a mistake. Selene couldn't help but inwardly chuckles. Carol really has the habit of being such a nag that she sometimes sees Patrick in her.

They are currently sitting inside in what seems like a make-shift study room. Carol is sitting beside her while Kaden remains dedicated to his duty as he remains standing behind her. Selene never pegs him to be this uptight when he is working, and she couldn't help but get mixed feelings because of his behavior. Selene sighs as she places a bulky brown envelope on the table and pushes it towards Cassius, sitting opposite them. It contains the business proposal that she'd been painstakingly prepared for many weeks before this meeting. Cassius looks at it for quite a while before he reluctantly takes it.

"It's the business proposal that I've prepared. I wanted you to read it before you decide whether you want to work with me or not."

Cassius' scoffs as he opens the envelope and starts reading its content. In just a matter of minutes, Selene watches in amusement as Cassius's hand trembles while he scours over the business proposal like a madman. His body becomes rigid while streaks of sweat dampen the side of his face. Selene can tell that he is almost hyperventilating due to shock, and when he finally looks at her, his eyes are glaze over, and he is breathing heavily.

"Did you make this?" he asks breathlessly while his eyes are wide as saucers. It really looks like he got the shock of his life.

Selene's first plan of action is to create a brand of cosmetics and skincare products. It's also one of the products that her company makes back on Earth. She's not confident if the same raw materials will be available in this market, but she will have to try. This is where Cassius will take on an important role. Selene decided that to rake in money, she needs to target the high-ranking nobility as her potential customers. From her observation, just like any other woman from her world, Albion's women place high importance on beauty and elegance. That is why they dabbed into various inventions to enhance their natural features. It seems to be one of the things they're obsessed about in hopes of finding a good potential husband. However, just like any typical downside of cosmetic and skincare products, if not adequately researched, it could do more harm than good to the person using it. And this is where her knowledge will be useful.

"Yes, and I want you to be a part of the business that I'm planning to create. I think that with your expertise and connections, you will be able to do well and satisfy me."

Cassius' shakes his head in disbelief. "But, I'm a fai--lure. As you al--ready know, I've repeatedly failed in the businesses that I've tried to get my hands into. Don't you think that you trust me too much?"

"Of course, I think that you still have some room for improvement, and I'm willing to teach you the ropes. I may not look like it, but I'm good with business."

Selene is confident that there's no way she will fail, but it doesn't mean that she doesn't need help. She still needs someone who will help her do what she might not be allowed to do, especially for a woman like her, who currently has a high noble status. She may be planning to save this world, but it doesn't mean that it's also her responsibility to change their social views. For now, it would be better to follow their strict and traditional rules somehow in order not to attract any further attention.

"I've chosen you to do the job because of your connections. Although you don't have a good reputation because of the previous failed businesses, it doesn't change the fact that you know a lot of people in the trade. And I think that you're someone capable of building strong relationships with your business partners and workers," she stated boldly, and it's evident that she managed to sway him.

Selene only confidently said that because of what he'd seen from his memories. There's no way a man's failure would not falter to share his remaining money and evenly distribute it to his workers as their last compensation. Despite the rough attitude, Cassius is a kind man.

"And for someone who's been dabbling into various kinds of business for many years, I assume that you know the market very well. For that factor, I need a native of this place, and I think that you will suit the job just fine. Now, it's my turn to ask a question. Upon reading my proposal, do you think it will sell?"

Cassius faintly nodded. "Yes, it will definitely sell. I've never seen such a detailed business proposal like this before. The high-ranking women from nobility will certainly get their hands on these products. This is a revolutionary product."

Selene grins from ear to ear feeling relieved because of his positive feedback. "That's good to hear. Let's work hard together for the success of this business. And also, I have another favor to ask."

"What is it that favor?" Cassius asks cautiously.

"It heard that south from here after a two days' ride, there is a bustling slave market where I can get some slaves. I want to visit it personally, and I want you to come with me."

Cassius's mouth hangs open in surprise as he stares at her, and Carol immediately protested because of it.

"My Lady, the slave market is not a place for a lady such as yourself to visit just because you want to."

Selene looks at Carol gravely. "I want to choose the slaves that I'm going to buy personally, and if possible, most of them should be those from the ruined Kingdom of Arcova."

"Huh? What are you—why would you need those slaves, My Lady?" Cassius whispers, suddenly looking deathly pale.

"I'm planning to hire them as part of the workforce," Selene replied in a calm voice.

Carol gasps in surprise while Cassius shot up from his seat, looking utterly terrified. The bundle of papers fell with a loud thud and scattered on the floor.

"That's a preposterous idea, My Lady. It could ruin your reputation, and worst you might be labeled as a sympathizer."

Selene shrugs nonchalantly. "If I buy the rights over them, that means I can do whatever I want, right? I hate to say this, but it only means that they will be my property. No one should care if I feed them properly, educate them, pay them for their work by providing them with a decent house and clothing. The only thing that I can't just casually do, as stated by the law, is to free them from their slavery. It's because the war slaves from the ruined Kingdom of Arcova is never allowed to be free. Isn't that right, Cassius?"

Cassius nodded. "You're right, My Lady. However, there will still be repercussions. The nobility might not accept your views, and worse, they may not even buy our products out of spite."

Cassius has a very valid point, but she will not budge about this issue. Selene rewards him with her usual business smile, and she can see him flinch in response.

"I understand your opinion, but I think that we only have to make sure that they will be unable to resist us. You see, Cassius, a greedy man, can never be satisfied. And most of the time, people with overwhelming coffers to spend are always preoccupied with possessions more than anything else. And these possessions are merely a symbol for them to satisfy their hunger that they naively thought will be sated."

Selene lets out a dramatic short sigh and leans back on the couch with her hands clasped together before continuing. She looks at him grimly.

"And do you know what happens next? Ultimately, it prevents them from living a virtuous life and slyly turns a blind eye to the law to get what they want. And if they can disobey the law just like that, what more if it's to follow a belief that those in power try to feed them with an illogical basis to back it up?"

Cassius swallows the humungous lump that suddenly forms in his throat. He falls back on his seat, suddenly feeling weak-kneed. Cassius involuntary shivers despite feeling a balloon of fiery warmth spreading throughout his body. Why does a child like her speaks so deviously but still remain truthful?

"And how could you be so sure that the beast-kin is not the devil's spawn those in power made them out to be?"

"I also don't know. That is why I'm giving them a chance to prove themselves and live their life again in my own little way. Because there's no way I can judge them solely based on what the others made them out to be. I have to see it for myself, and whatever happens, I will take responsibility."

Cassius had grown quiet as he mulls over her words. He still can't come up with a decision. His gut tells him that he should accept the proposal, but the fear gnaws at him. It's irrefutable that the young lady in front of her is clever and talented despite her age. He can almost see them succeeding, but he doesn't know if he is willing to risk his family's safety to follow her ideals. To be accused as a sympathizer of the beast-kin undoubtedly means death. It would also put Carol into a dangerous situation. Cassius' stops short when he sees his sister ogling Lady Rozeman with utter adoration. It looks like they're close.

"I'm not pressuring you to give me an answer immediately, but I also can't wait that long. I'm giving you two days to think about it. Come visit me in the mansion when you already have an answer."

Cassius nodded distractedly. After their conversation, Selene left the room and went straight to the carriage, leaving Carol behind for a while until she finishes saying goodbye to her brother. Kaden remains behind her, creeping like a shadow, but she can feel the tension and frustration emanating from his body. Selene thought that he would stay silent, not bothering to ask her about her plan, but it looks like Kaden can only tolerate much, and his patience had grown thin.

Selene is surprised when she suddenly ambushes her once she is seated inside. Kaden remains standing outside the carriage while he uses the door to cover his body partially. Kaden's face is so close that she can visibly see the fine lines of his handsome face and his unwavering ice blue eyes.

"What we're you thinking? How could you think of doing something dangerous?" Kaden whispers angrily in between gritted teeth that she can feel his hot breath fanning her face.

"If you're against it, then I have nothing to say, but I'm not going to change my mind," Selene declares boldly without batting her eye as she looks at Kaden.

"If this is about--"Selene immediately places her finger on his lips to stop him from saying anything else. And for some weird reason, she can feel the intense sensation of his soft lips on her fingertip.

Selene sighs. "Don't be mistaken. I didn't do this because of you. This is because of my conscience and rationality winning over me. Don't worry. I'm not doing it to force you out. I'm waiting for you to decide to do that. For now, I will take care of it."

Astonishingly, Kaden did something so uncharacteristic of him. Before he can even stop himself, he gently stroke Selene's cheeks before cupping her small face with both of his hands. He just finally realizes it now, and Kaden didn't know when it started, but he is now alarmingly conscious of Selene's presence, and it grows day by day. She's creating havoc inside his mind and making him feel insane.

"Why do you have to be so…so unbe--lievable" Kaden mutters as strings of curses are running through his mind at that very moment. He almost said the word lovely, though he didn't think that would be enough to describe her. She's beautiful, smart, kind, fearless, and innocent that he is afraid he might taint her.

When he transformed into a beast, instead of running away as an average person would, Selene embraced him.

When their opinions clashed, and they would end up arguing, Selene would listen to him without judgment. She accepts him while always considering his feelings, just like what she's doing right now.

Selene is also willing to put her life on the line to save the people he cares about. She even cares for his people more than he does that he couldn't help but think that her kindness knows no bounds.

She is just so breathtakingly beautiful inside and out that he even managed to shake up Nicolai's walls.

He felt his throat blocked up that it's getting difficult to breathe. His heart is beating so fast, he can't control his feelings. What has he gotten himself into?