Chapter 3 Agreement

Her golden eyes were focused and serious, she wanted to convey her will to go through a peaceful agreement.

"Talk," Liam stared at her for a brief moment, he didn’t know why he found her so charming. He tried to keep an indifferent aura, but a glint of interest sparked in his eyes. Emma knew she had caught his attention and maybe not long after, he would agree to her request if she managed it brightly.

"My father was the former Duke of Monde, but he lost his position when he decided to marry another woman. He left my mother's house after she died. I inherited her title, and now I am the Duchess of Monde in my country."

Emma's mother came from a decaying noble house, however, she was so beautiful that several men asked for her hand in marriage many times despite her family's precarious condition. However, Emma's grandfather didn't agree to any of them. He wanted to preserve the family's noble title and prestige, and for that looked for a groom to marry into the family and inherit the title of Duke of Monde.

It was evident that not many nobles would agree to his condition. Only sons of low-class families could comply with the old man's proposal, but he refused them all. 

The true intentions of the sly old man became apparent, he wanted to sell his daughter to the wealthiest man of them all, Rion Tuk, a merchant of great riches, famous around the country and many foreign lands. 

He had many businesses and properties around the continent, however, it was known that he wanted a noble title to stand on the same ground as those arrogant nobles. Therefore, he accepted the old man's proposal immediately.

The common saying was that he fell in love the moment his eyes landed on Miriam, Emma's mother. And it was true, for a few years at least. However, when some strange illness attacked Miriam's body, her delicate beauty faded away, leaving a sickly complexion and a fragile pale woman. The care of her husband disappeared almost instantly that time, carrying with it his fidelity.

Emma kept reminiscing about her shameless father, who didn't doubt for a moment to send her to a loveless marriage in exchange for a noble position for him and his new young wife. An exuberant woman he brought from one of his travels. In the end, he was more a greedy merchant than a father.

"Talk about the pearl," the Duke looked impatient seeing her daydreaming.

'What a horrible man… tsk,' she thought, she just wanted to give a bit of background.

Emma looked at him with disdainful eyes, then she sighed to calm her anger. "The ancient families of Luriem hid the map to the pearl many years ago, even the names of the families involved were changed and carefully secured. However, with time the secret was lost… you may know that now only rumors about the location are left, but…" She raised a brow in a triumphant manner, however, the man didn't change his expression.

"Tch... my mother gave me a hint on the map some years before her death, and… I know where it is hidden. I know it may sound crazy, but it is true. The location she gave me is not a false clue." 

She waited for him to fall into the trap. After all, the pearl of Luriem was an ancient treasure sought by many, even the Avalor Kingdom. Many thought that the King of Avalor started the war only to get his hands on the pearl. The map was concealed with powerful magic, even with the King of the Luriem magic was impossible to find. He couldn't sense the ancient enchantment around the map, and all the groups seeking it returned empty-handed. Soon, it became an impossible task and with time it became a myth. 

"Then…" He sighed, waiting for her following words.

"If you set me free, I will look for the map and bring the pearl to you."

He returned his gaze to the window. Emma knew he was pondering, it was evident he was interested. The pearl of Luriem hid powerful magic enough to concede any wish, even the craziest wish, and he had one, a desire concealed deep in his heart. However, it would also be foolish to believe her story just like that.

"How can I know you won't escape with it?"

"I give you my word as a Duchess," she knew he would want to negotiate and take precautions. It would be foolish not to do that, even for her. To trust someone that was once part of your enemy's side was too much to ask. 

Still, the only thing she had of value was her word right now, as even her magic was sealed with that damn chain. She hoped that once they reached an agreement, he would help her break the spell.

He chuckled, “Do you think I would trust your word just like that, even more, a witch word? Will you believe me if I tell you that I can just extract the secret from your beautiful mouth in my own way?"

He narrowed his eyes, mocking her. She felt a bit of hatred growing inside him when he mentioned the last words. A frightening feeling was creeping on her back. 'He might be telling the truth.'

"Then…" She cleared her throat, trying to shove those tremors to the back of her mind. She didn't want to have to do this, but she had no other option, the man was a rotten monster. "A blood contract."

"Are you willing to go that far?" He raised a brow, he was not someone to believe the casual words of a witch, but right now, the woman before him seemed different.

"Yes," she said with resolute eyes, her gaze never faltering, as if she had reached an agreement with herself.

However, he was a bit bothered by her quick response and didn't know why. Seeing her cute bright golden eyes focused on him with tremendous determination, made him avoid her sight. Not many dared to hold his burning glare for that long, but she has done it twice. Even the most powerful of the luriem flinched against him, as their magic tricks were not enough to bring him down easily.

Suddenly, the same fragrance he smelled a few hours ago interrupted his thoughts. It was hard to control it… to suppress it. 

“Your Highness?”

‘Dammit!’