I had insisted on one condition—to avoid being used and thrown away before our revenge even came true:
Edmond must never betray me.

On the surface, it sounded straightforward—but it meant much more.

Wolfgangs carry the power of wolves in their blood. Through a ritual called bonding, they leave a mark on someone they feel a deep connection with. As long as the bond holds, they can’t betray that person. If they do, they’ll lose control and become a full wolf.

If I bond with Edmond, he won’t be able to betray me… at least for now.

These days, one could break unwanted bonds using magic. So if after a year I decided I couldn’t marry him— or he lost interest and ended the engagement—we could end the bond and part ways peacefully.

Edmond agreed to this condition: if I wanted out after a year, he’d cancel the engagement and break the bond—no questions asked. He’d even looked startled when I mentioned it, but he accepted.

That night…

As we kissed, I suddenly panicked—How do you breathe, keep your eyes open…?

I pushed him back.

He paused, whispering softly,

“It’s okay, take your time.”

Then he resumed, kissing me more gently, more carefully than before.

After some time, he pulled back. His blue eyes glowed, still heated and wanting more.

“Now I’ll do it. Ready?”

Despite being dizzy from emotion, I nodded.

He touched my cheek and whispered,

“I’m sorry—it might hurt, but I’ll be gentle.”

Pain no longer scared me—I’d endured worse before.

“I’m fine.”

At that, he looked relieved. Then he said,

“Relax your muscles. It might sting a bit.”

He pressed in, his sharp fangs biting into my shoulder—pain surged, heavy, raw.

But only briefly.

He withdrew them, and I felt warmth spreading. As he chanted softly, the pain faded.

I turned and saw green runes glowing on my shoulder, then vanishing.

“…It’s done.”

He sounded strangely joyful as he spoke.

I looked up, and he licked the blood at the corner of his mouth, smile fierce.

Like a wolf under moonlight.

“Irene.”

He opened his arms wide and gathered me into them. I didn’t pull away.

He rested his head on my neck, whispering,

“Now I’m completely yours—and…”

Shivers ran through me.

“…You’re mine, too.”

He kissed the marked spot on my shoulder gently, reverently.

A spark of sensation and heat burst where he kissed.

“Irene…”

His voice trembled with longing. I closed my eyes, and he held me for a long, silent moment.

For a second, I thought: maybe this fleeting love before my heart leaves… isn’t so bad.

The next morning…

I awoke not in Venomaine’s cold tower or a dingy inn, but in the dazzling bedroom of the Wolfgang estate.

I blinked open my eyes, scanning the room—and Edmond wasn’t there.

I really am staying here, with Wolfgangs.

Flash confession, sudden proposal, immediate engagement—last night’s warm, intoxicating memory drifted in my mind.

Is this okay?
Making life-altering decisions overnight… was I crazy?

Maybe I got drunk on last night’s surge of emotion.
Even Tession could look like he loved me at first. And he eventually turned away.

If Edmond truly loved me… I needed proof before trusting.

My life had been used before. I refused to get used again.

One year.

The engagement, not marriage. I insisted on this time so I could test whether Edmond was committed—or not.

A year to get stronger and master my abilities. To fight in the Siliera Tournament and earn a name.

If he was lying… I’d finish everything in a year. I wouldn’t need him.

Still, despite how warmly Wolfgangs treated me—Rosette, Reina, the staff—I felt uneasy.

People don’t change easily… I need fallback plans.

I rummaged through my pocket, finding three letters meant for Lancaster, Tirien, and Puyre houses.

They were still intact, tucked away. I thought: Maybe I should hang on to these—just in case.

It felt sad, thinking of divorce before even marrying. But fairy-tale endings aren’t real for everyone.

As I muttered, “One year…” I felt a chill and heard Edmond’s voice behind me:

“One year later, what, Irene?”

He appeared—shirt buttoned to the top, hair neat.

“Edmond?”

“Sorry to startle you. I should’ve told you I’d come early.”

He silently pulled a chair close and sat beside me—shoulder to shoulder.

“Oh, it’s fine. What’s on your mind?”

I hid my panic, covering the letters with a blank parchment.

“Well, since we’re bonded now, I thought we should handle the rest.”

“Handle the rest?”

He calmly took out pen and paper.

“We agreed: one year engagement—unless I mess up big—and then we marry. Right?”

“…Yeah.”

“Good. Then sign here.”

He smiled, extending the papers.

What? We arrived less than 24 hours ago.

Even the legal engagement happened fast—confession, proposal, legal document all in two days.

“Don’t worry. If you want a ceremony later, we’ll do one. You don’t have to unless you want it.”

He grinned, pointing to the signature line.

“What matters is that we’re legally engaged.”

When he said “legally,” his eyes glinted just a little—almost with mania.

Maybe I’m just imagining things.

I swallowed hard and took the papers.

“And here’s your engagement ring.”

“You already got the ring?”

“Yeah. I ordered it long ago.”

He held up a gorgeous diamond ring—bold and stunning, like something fit for royalty.

Is this really an engagement ring, not a wedding ring?

He then casually revealed nine more velvet ring boxes—ten rings total.

My jaw dropped at their sparkle.

“Pick whichever you like. Or take them all.”

He laughed as I stared.

“Just read it and sign when you’re ready. No hidden clauses, I promise.”

He offered me the pen but… his smile felt off. Cold, faintly forced.

He’s never been so abrupt before. And ten rings?

As I scanned the paper, his voice softened:

“By the way, Irene…”

“Yeah?”

Focused on reading, I didn’t sense the shift—until he asked:

“Why haven’t you thrown away the letters to Lancaster?”

His tone turned icy, and my blood ran cold.

“…?”

“You know… wolves have sharp vision. They see everything, even from far away.”

His grip on my hand tightened—like a warning.

“I want to marry you, Irene. And I will treat you well. Nothing will change that.”

He leaned closer, his gaze fierce and close.

He breathed softly against the bond mark on my shoulder.

“We’ve already bonded.”

His breath on my skin made me flinch, yet he sank deeper in.

“But if you’re already planning to break off and run to Lancaster, I hope you’re lying, Irene.”

His voice became a whisper so gentle it gave me goosebumps.

“Right? You’re not that kind of girl… are you?”

No.
But every step felt more like a trap than freedom.

As he held me tighter, his question echoing softly, I felt fear surge.

I think I’ve made a mistake…