Chapter 9
“But just now on the balcony, your eyes looked so lonely.”
Aslan brushed past the question with a tired sigh and rubbed his face, hiding his bitter expression.
“I didn’t even know you liked the night sky, or that you didn’t like having attendants around. I thought I knew you quite well…”
“……”
“That was a long preamble. What I really meant to say is, I want to get to know you better—from now on.”
“We both dislike being indirect, so I’ll get straight to the point. I heard Your Highness is under political attack because of me.”
Vivian understood why Aslan was avoiding the subject.
He had saved her life, risking exposure of the Black Lion’s identity, and brought her to the estate. Most likely, it was because he was being politically attacked over the inheritance issue.
Marrying her was probably the quickest and most foolproof way to silence the opposition.
But no matter how she thought about it, marriage was not the answer. Vivian decided to offer a compromise.
“This situation was caused by my mistake, so I’m willing to go through with the engagement ceremony as a front. If you need me to make any public statements, I’ll do it. I mean it.”
“That’s not what this is about.”
“There’s no need to go through all this trouble. It’s not like we just met yesterday.”
“Vivian, I understand why you’d misunderstand, but…”
For a moment, Aslan’s eyes darkened. But when Vivian met them again, his expression was calm, as usual.
“I really want to make things work between us now.”
“Are you being sincere?”
“I understand that you don’t trust me. But if you give me a chance, I’m willing to wait until you open your heart.”
His response was simple but unexpectedly human.
Vivian watched him scratch the back of his neck awkwardly and thought—maybe she had misjudged him. Maybe Aslan wasn’t violent, just bad at dealing with people.
As if to prove her thought right, Aslan didn’t drag the moment out and instead stood up neatly.
“It’s late. Even night owls should sleep now.”
“Mm, I will.”
“You’re unusually obedient tonight.”
For a second, Vivian couldn’t believe her eyes. Aslan was smiling down at her.
The man who had been called the Grim Reaper of the battlefield, cold and merciless, was smiling like a normal person.
“Sweet dreams.”
“You too, Your Highness.”
“I will. I’m leaving now, don’t bother seeing me out.”
Just as when he arrived, Aslan casually leapt off the second-floor balcony. He landed smoothly, like a wild beast—strong and graceful.
Vivian thought he had left, but he suddenly stopped and looked back up at her.
“……”
His gaze was so intense, it felt like it would devour her whole.
Without realizing it, Vivian ducked behind the curtain. Just his eyes had brushed over her, and it felt like her skin was burning. She couldn’t understand the feeling herself.
Only after his presence faded in the distance did Vivian finally collapse weakly, as if released from a spell.
Her mind was a whirlwind.
If what Aslan said was true, maybe I could get help from him when a cure is developed. But it could also be an elaborate act to lower my guard…
Torn between thoughts, Vivian ruffled her hair in frustration. Thinking too much really wasn’t her thing.
It was going to be a long night.
The next morning, Vivian went down to the dining room at Aslan’s invitation.
The atmosphere was pleasant, and the food was excellent. The chef himself came out to explain the menu to Vivian.
She nodded along, listening attentively.
“It’s been so long since I’ve had something that suited my taste. You’re quite young, and already the head chef? That’s impressive.”
“I am honored by your praise, milady.”
Ahem!
Vivian looked up. Aslan had been clearing his throat repeatedly for a while, making it impossible to carry on a proper conversation.
“Your Highness, are you feeling unwell?”
“Not really.”
He refused to call a doctor, turned down water, and wouldn’t say what was wrong. Vivian tilted her head but decided it wasn’t serious.
She turned back to the chef. She shouldn’t keep a busy man for too long.
“I’ll be looking forward to more meals.”
“I’ll do my best to meet your expectations, milady. Please, call me Manuel.”
Manuel, with his sharp features and dazzling smile, was a bit overwhelming, but he knew how to set a pleasant tone.
Vivian naturally placed her hand in his as he offered it. A kiss on the hand was a customary greeting in high society.
Just as Manuel leaned in to kiss the back of her hand with a soft smile…
“Vivian, your glove has a loose thread.”
Aslan, who had been sitting across the table a moment ago, was suddenly beside her, holding her hand.
She hadn’t even noticed him move, yet he had skillfully taken her hand away from Manuel.
Aslan turned his head slightly and glared at Manuel with deadly eyes. Oblivious, Vivian tilted her head and removed her glove.
“A loose thread? Where?”
“Hm.”
Aslan quickly covered up with a change in expression and gently held her hand.
Her pale, delicate hand looked like it belonged to another species under his large, calloused palm.
“Guess I was mistaken.”
“Really? But where did Manuel…?”
As Vivian tried to pull her hand back, she froze.
That feeling again. Like being trapped in a steel vise.
Aslan wasn’t hurting her. He was holding her hand gently, like cradling a feather.
But no matter how much she tried, her hand wouldn’t budge. It wouldn’t come loose at all!
Just then, Aslan leaned in close, still holding her hand. His warm breath brushed her ear.
“Since breakfast is over, I’d like to get to the point.”
“The point? I thought this was just a casual meal. M-more importantly, my hand…”
“We should finish the conversation we started last night.”
That conversation—about getting to know each other better?
While Vivian was still struggling to free her precious right hand, the servants swiftly cleared the dishes and reset the table.
And then…
“Here. Sign it.”
A marriage certificate was laid in front of her.
This guy…?!
Is this why you’ve been holding my hand hostage?!
Where had that emotional, sensitive man from last night gone? The one who wanted to open up and share feelings?
“We still don’t know each other that well—”
“Oh, I just changed my mind.”
“What?!”
“Think of it this way. If things keep going like this, no man around you will keep his head.”
For a moment, his voice felt like it had dropped to absolute zero. But when she looked up, his face was clean and composed.
His hand, however, was anything but forgiving.
“All that’s left is your last name.”
“Ugh, wh-what is this…!”
At the top of the certificate, he had already written the first letter of her new last name: Astaroth.
At this rate, she really was going to be his prisoner for life—watched and controlled forever!
What kind of male lead is this?! Judging by his lines, he’s basically a high-end loan shark!
Just give me 1.2 billion in cash, I’ll leave!
Panicked, Vivian frantically looked around for a way to escape. Her eyes landed on the silver candlestick in the center of the table.
Aslan had her upper body pinned, so she had no choice.
Vivian gathered her strength and delivered a swift kick.
Clang!
The candlestick toppled and fell. The fire caught the marriage certificate and burned it clean through before dying out.
“……”
Vivian couldn’t make a sound.
Pain roared through her toe after it collided with the marble table—but she didn’t dare cry out.
The silence was terrifying.
She had acted on impulse, but now she was afraid Aslan might say something like, “Whether you know the Black Lion’s identity or not, I’ll kill you just in case.”
Her body reacted instantly to the crisis. Adrenaline surged through her like wildfire.
“Vivian, you…”
“Shut your mouth.”
“What?”
“I’m going to speak first, so just… j-just shut it!”
Fueled by adrenaline, she snapped.
She didn’t even know what she was saying anymore. She just let her mouth go with the flow.
“They say even the living deserve their wishes granted—can’t you at least grant one for someone who’s dying?! I’ve got, like, a year left at most!”
“I told you not to talk like you’ve already given up.”
“Sure, you said you’d save me. But how? Are you a doctor? A prophet? Oh, maybe we should bet on whether I’ll be alive in a year or not!”
Whatever. To hell with it all!
Even the cure wouldn’t be available until later. As capable as Aslan was, he couldn’t see the future.
Aslan parted his lips to respond. He looked like he had something to say, but an enormous wall held him back.
Eventually, he looked away and wiped his face with a dry hand.
Now was her chance.
Vivian quickly patted his hand.
If he was afraid she’d find out the truth about the Black Lion, reassuring him she wouldn’t live long was the best way to calm him.
“I’m fine. You don’t have to pity me just because I have a year left. I have no greedy desires—I just want to live out the rest of my life quietly…”
“Alright. I accept your bet.”
“…What?”
“If you’re still alive one year from now, you’ll marry me.”
That’s a problem. I was planning to take the cure and run off.
She had forgotten in the chaos, but her original plan was to live a quiet life in a southern resort.
And that plan was still valid.
“For the duration of our one-year bet, our engagement will be solid and official. I won’t keep any women near me—and you should do the same.”
That’s also a problem. What about my half-sister, the original female lead?
You want me, a guilt-ridden minor character who already destroyed the story’s key location, to now take her role too? Are you serious?!
“As fiancés, we should also fulfill our duties. According to our engagement contract, you’re to move into my estate for bridal training. I’d like you to start that today.”
“……”
“You’re not planning to back out of the bet, are you?”
The volcanic rush of adrenaline quietly fizzled out.
Aslan pulled out a new marriage certificate from his coat and smirked like a true villain.
Faced with silent pressure and the threat of unknown consequences, Vivian finally cornered herself into agreeing to the outrageous bet.
