Chapter 15 — Seeds of Promise

"Whatever is in this pouch... can change your life."

I said the words slowly, deliberately, watching her eyes as I opened the small satchel in my hands and held it out.

She peered in, frowned, and looked back at me with a mix of disbelief and disappointment.

"This?" Her brow furrowed deeper. "You were going to change my life with this? These are just... seeds. Demausa seeds, aren't they? That plant's poisonous. Why in the world do you have these?"

"Adriana," I said, my voice steady, hoping she'd listen, "I understand why you're skeptical, but these are no ordinary seeds. They're gold—hidden, unpolished, waiting for the right hands. For us, they're everything. This will be the first product your merchant company brings to market."

She scoffed, her voice flat. "If I try to sell this nonsense, my company will sink before it ever floats. This isn't gold. It's a curse."

Her doubt was loud, but I wasn't ready to let go yet. I leaned forward, trying to catch her attention again.

"Listen to me. A drought is coming to your region—within weeks. Crops will fail. Food will vanish. People will be desperate for alternatives. And this—" I pointed at the seeds, "—this grows in one month. It can survive harsh soil and dry winds. The leaves are poisonous, yes, but the seeds? Completely safe."

Her gaze softened slightly, but she was still guarded. I pressed on.

"And don't forget—" I gestured toward the lingering shimmer of our magical contract, "we're bound now. I can't betray you. You can't betray me. If I meant to harm you, the contract would've shattered already. Still don't trust me?" I reached for one of the seeds. "Then watch. I'll eat one—"

"No!" She reached out, grabbing my hand mid-move. "I believe you, alright? Just stop with the dramatics."

Then, a pause. Her expression grew curious. "But tell me one thing… How do you even know there's going to be a drought?"

I smirked and slipped a hand gently around her waist, pulling her a little closer.

"Do you really want to know?"

Her entire body stiffened. Adriana's breath hitched, and she stammered, "W-What are you doing? You said you wouldn't do anything without my permission."

The panic in her eyes almost made me laugh, but I held it back. I kept my expression sincere, my voice playful but grounded.

"I promised I wouldn't hurt you. I never said I wouldn't get close. What did you think—I'm like your husband, who doesn't even touch a woman like you despite having her right there beside him? If you keep trying to peel back my layers… I'll keep getting closer. It's only fair, isn't it?"

Her mouth parted in disbelief. "N-no. I don't need to know anything. Really. What would I even do with that information? It's getting late—I should go. My husband might be—"

She turned, trying to flee the growing tension, but I caught her again—this time gently but firmly. My fingers brushed through her hair as I held her close and looked straight into her eyes.

"Adriana," I said, my tone dropping into something colder, calmer—dead serious. "You don't know much about me, so let me be clear. I'm not normal. I don't know who was in your life before, or why... but from now on, your life is mine. That man who's tormenting you? He ends in a month."

Her breath caught.

"I don't share what I claim. I don't tolerate betrayal. That guard you brought in disguise? The one who keeps inching closer to our door trying to eavesdrop? It takes effort for me not to snap people like him in half."

Her eyes widened, not in fear, but in startled realization.

"This isn't a threat, Adriana. I'm just explaining how I am. But don't confuse my obsession with cruelty. I'll never force you. I'll never touch you unless you want me to. I'll never treat you as less than sacred. Understand?"

She nodded quietly, and murmured, "You don't have to worry. I'm not going to betray your trust."

Her words weren't grand, but they meant everything. She didn't know it, but this was my first true victory in this world—a bond I'd forged with my own hands, not borrowed from the Prince's legacy. It made me... almost giddy.

I couldn't hold it in.

Without warning, I picked Adriana up and spun her in the air. She squealed, grabbing my collar, her eyes shut tight.

"Hey! Hey—stop! What are you doing? You're scaring me!"

I laughed, slowing down, and finally setting her back on her feet. "Relax. That was happiness—just joy. Do one thing for me, will you? Plant these seeds. By the time they grow, I'll return."

I met her gaze again, and this time, I let a sliver of my bloodlust leak into the air—just enough to make my promise felt.

"And when I return… that man who hurt you? He'll be nothing but a memory."

She looked slightly shaken, but also strangely comforted, as if some deep truth had clicked into place.

"I'll wait for you," she whispered. "But… you still haven't told me your name."

I clicked my tongue and chuckled at my own stupidity. "Christopher," I said. "It's my real name. Don't forget it."

She gave me a small, knowing smile. "Christopher. Happy cooperation. I hope you keep your promise."

And with that, Adriana turned and walked away. She didn't say much. But she didn't have to.

I could see it in the slight bounce in her step. She wasn't happy because she was marrying someone else.

She was happy... because she was finally stepping toward freedom.