NEXT MORNING

  Valencia woke up on the cold floor, staggering to get up. She looked around, searching for any signs, and her jaw tightened. Her pale skin shone in the dark room as she stood and grabbed a new pair of clothes. Once she put on the clothes, she paused.

  “Everything is alright… just pretend that it’s alright…” she muttered. Then she turned firmly to grab a new coat. She folded it into her bag and headed to the Office of Affairs.

  Valencia stopped by a bakery shop to buy a slice of bread as she chewed on it on the way. The moment she stepped inside—

  “Your Highness!” men wailed happily.

  A swarm of men shoved past Valencia and hurried to the center of the office, where a noble lady stood. She smiled and danced around the attention that she gathered.

  The noble lady—Princess Barbielle, House of Cardiella.

  She giggled.

  “Oh, you all are so… welcoming,” Barbielle said.

  Their jaws slackened, eyes glazed over, as if she’d cast a spell on them.

  Valencia stared at them with disgust and gagged. Why here? Go somewhere else… I’m going to be sick. She turned—

  BAM.

  Valencia fell to the ground, her hand pressing against her nose with her eyes closed.

  “Ow…” she groaned.

  A light chuckle echoed in front of her. Valencia opened her eyes and looked up. Lady Renai, Marquise’s daughter.

  “Oh, look… it’s that slum orphan again…” Renai teased.

  Valencia’s eyes hollowed. This again… She stood.

  Renai’s pack of hyenas chuckled as they stared at Valencia.

  “I wonder who would want to pair up with a Rank F Guide…” one commented.

  They laughed as they stopped, smiling gently.

  “You see, you will never get a match. There hasn’t been an F-rank in decades…” Renai added. Then she stepped closer to Valencia’s ear. “You’re the first who has failed.”

  Valencia leaned closer to Renai and smiled. A smile mismatched her gentleness.

  “At least, you won’t shine today though… Lady Renai,” Valencia whispered.

  Renai’s hand clenched as she turned her gaze to Valencia.

  “What did you say?”

  Valencia took a step back and bowed.

  “Her Highness is here. You’re nothing but a wall,” Valencia said. Then she brushed the dirt off her clothes and sighed. “Plus, we are not in the Academy anymore… can’t you grow out of that habit?”

  Renai’s fists trembled as she seethed silently—

  The door opened suddenly. Flashing. Light.

  “Lord Kael!” a woman screamed.

  Renai snapped and gazed at the door.

  This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.

  Kael entered the office with William, his head turning to the receptionist. Barbielle’s jaw dropped as she pushed through the men.

  “Lord Kael!” Barbielle called warmly, waving her hand as she ran to him.

  Renai smiled and pushed Valencia down as the ladies swarmed to Kael. His eyes widened as he chuckled nervously.

  “Are you here to look for your Guide, Lord Kael?” one asked.

  Valencia took a glimpse and shook her head. She sighed in frustration.

  “This is going to be another day of hectic…” she mumbled. Then she stood and walked to the hallway.

  Kael’s eyes searched each hair of the ladies. Where are you? Purple—

  A faint wave of purple aura floated under his nose—unseen. He froze as the coolness, the fresh smell, relieved him. His heart skipped a beat as he inhaled.

  “Lord Kael?” William called.

  Kael turned to him.

  “She’s here! Find her!”

  William nodded, squeezing himself through the crowd of ladies. Just as Valencia reached the receptionist to give her badge, Kael’s eyes keenly caught a vision of her purple hair.

  “Name?” the receptionist asked.

  “Valencia—”

  “I want her!” Kael yelled.

  The ladies gasped and fell silent.

  The receptionist in front of Valencia froze and turned to look at Kael. Valencia stared at the receptionist, waiting for her to take her badge.

  The silence curiously drew Valencia’s attention to turn her head.

  She flinched as she nearly dropped her badge. Is he pointing at me? Wait—it’s that man! She gasped as she looked away.

  “Please… hurry…” she begged.

  “Wait!” Kael shouted, pushing through the crowd.

  All eyes turned. Barbielle’s scoff cut through the silence. The receptionist hurried to Valencia as soon as possible. The moment Valencia grabbed her badge, she turned and—

  GRAB.

  “Found you!” Kael panted.

  Valencia flushed as she looked at the ladies behind him. Then she returned her gaze to him. He smiled.

  “Me?” she squeaked.

  He pulled her closer.

  “This… Yes, you’re quite hard to find, Miss Elyane.”

  Valencia’s heart thudded. She averted her gaze lower, surprised. Is that… my heart beating? What is this weird feeling? I’ve never felt this before.

  Kael chuckled as he gripped tightly.

  “You feel it, too? That weird… calm feeling,” he wondered.

  Her eyes widened, horrified that he knew what she was thinking. She looked at him.

  “H-How?”

  “Follow me… where it’s quiet,” he demanded, dragging her along.

  Renai bit her lower lip and stopped in front of them.

  “Lord Kael, I think you should know… but this lady is an F-rank Guide. Someone that doesn’t match—”

  “Why would a fly bother me when I’m here to get what I need?” he muttered coldly. How dare she? I finally found what I needed.

  Renai jolted, snapping her mouth shut.

  “I—”

  “Move. How dare a lowly noble like you block a Duke’s son’s path?”

  Renai looked down and trembled out of his path. Kael then continued walking out of the office. William’s eyes widened as he awkwardly followed them. Kael carried Valencia onto his horse. She gasped sharply.

  “Hm… wait—”

  “Hold on tight…”

  Valencia closed her eyes as Kael whipped the horse. The horse hurdled away to his residence. She clutched onto the strap in between Kael’s hands. Why? Why am I following him? Her heart raced rapidly.

  Kael stole a glance at her, leaning his head beside her ear.

  “We have a lot to talk about, Miss Elyane…” he whispered.

  Valencia jumped, turning her gaze to him. He gave a roguish smile as they locked eyes.

  She bit her lower lip. Why is he taking me with him? What does he want? Did he… find out who I am? Her muscles tensed up.

  While they rode on their way, Barbielle glared at the sight of Kael taking Valencia with him. She crossed her arms and turned to Renai.

  “Say… Lady Renai, you said that the lady who left with Lord Kael is a rank F guide?” Barbielle asked sternly.

  Renai nodded hesitantly as she smiled.

  “Yes, Your Highness… she is!”

  Barbielle rolled her eyes as she stomped to her carriage. She slammed the door closed behind her. Her personal maid inside looked at her.

  “Is everything okay, Your Highness?”

  “That fucking bitch…” Barbielle cursed. The maid flinched. “Let my older brother know that Lord Kael has taken an interest in someone… so that my brother can take her away.”

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